The problem of the anonymous accusation

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Dealing with such issues as sexual assault is sufficiently difficult for universities under the best of circumstances.  Rarely do we enjoy "the best of circumstances."  All too often, complaints are clouded by:

1.  He said/she said with no other witnesses.

2.  The presence of alcohol and/or drugs in the mix.

Even more challenging are cases of anonymous accusations.  How far should you carry your inquiry, under this circumstance?  Bear in mind that the opportunity to become a defendant in a defamation/invasion of privacy case, where the accused individual is the plaintiff, is attenuated by the anonymity of accuser.

And what if the anonymous accusation is out there on the Internet?  Perhaps directed to you or perhaps not?

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/05/19/unofficial-internet-campaign-outs-professor-alleged-sexual-harassment-attempted#sthash.A8fGOrii.dpbs

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