A Letter to Our Readers
Content Warning: sexual misconduct/sexual harassment
Friday, May 24th 2019
Dear Readers of the Nassau Literary Review,
Recently, an individual has come forward and notified us that a story, which we published in a recent issue of Nass Lit, contains a significant number of identifying details and sexually explicit anecdotes. While our staff chose to publish this story when it was believed to be fictive, the harm that we now know it has caused members of our University community has compromised the integrity of our publication, and more importantly, is unacceptable. In other words, the contents of the story cannot be interpreted purely aesthetically, but rather as an extension of the author’s previous problematic behaviors. Regardless of how the author intended the piece to be read, it is being read autobiographically and is violating the privacy of the individual depicted.
In light of this information and given our commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe artistic environment, we are denouncing the piece and send our deepest apologies for the harm and emotional trauma that have emerged from this incident. Beyond the details surrounding the author of the piece, we will also strive not to publish pieces in which sexual coercion and misogyny are its central themes regardless of whether the piece is purely fictional. And lastly, we will be redacting the piece in question from our archives.
If you have any further questions, do send them to nasslit@princeton.edu. We will be sure to answer them promptly. Moreover, please feel free to use the following resources:
- Confidential counseling is available through SHARE, Counseling and Psychological Services, or with the chaplains in the Office of Religious Life.
- If you have additional questions about the University’s Sex Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy and/or are interested in information related to pursuing disciplinary action, please be in touch with the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration and/or please see the Sexual Misconduct and Title IX website.
Phone: 609–258–7411
Fax: 609–258–8555
- If you have questions about safety and security and/or wish to make a report with law enforcement, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 609–258–1000.
- If you would like more information about accommodations that may be available to you (for example, No Contact or No Communication Orders, academic or living accommodations), please notify your Dean of Student Life
Sincerely,
The Editors of the Nassau Literary Review
