<p>“When I think back through the whole complex history of this episode, the scariest thing to me is that actual human lives were at the mercy of so much instant moral certainty, before the facts had been established. If there’s one lesson the world should take from the Duke lacrosse case, it’s the danger of prejudgment and our need to defend against it at every turn.” </p>
<h2>- Duke University President Richard Brodhead, 2007.</h2>
<p>I’m willing to try to give a reporter a break for believing too much in a single person. However, I cannot forgive RS for claiming that UVa was driven by a “rape culture” and tar and feathering every fraternity and the whole University and the administration in the process. The UVa administration has taken many positive steps in recent years to address this issue. </p>
<p>^^^^^No surprise…most of us suspected this was coming. I hope some of you who are thinking of pulling your applications will reconsider. At least wait to see if you are accepted and then you can decide whether to attend based on current information. </p>
<p>In order to really help the people who are victims, true victims is to bring to justice the people who do not tell the truth. This is why due process is always necessary. I personally have been associated with a situation where I witnessed something that exonerated a domestic violence charge. The accuser told so many lies, SO MANY, all to hurt a person who wanted to split up from her. When I tell you if you saw her in court carrying on, she was convincing, if I didn’t see what I saw I would have believed her. There are liars out there, very convincing ones, who have very grave issues. When they are found out they need to be prosecuted to deter future liars. THAT my friends will help protect the true victims. </p>
<p>This whole situation is a shame, I hope as many people that read the RS article and read the terrible incorrect conclusions on here and other media sources also read the retractions. </p>
<p>As for the people who so quickly decided not to send their children to UVA well it wouldn’t hurt the University not to have people who are so quick to convict. </p>
<p>^^^^^And as somebody who wants UVa to be filled with intelligent, careful thinkers, I hope those who wanted to pull their applications based primarily on a Rolling Stone article continue to pull their applications. And I hope they become more responsible consumers of information before they resubmit their applications.</p>
<p>I additionally hope that there are lawsuits. Reading the parents forum and hearing high school students discuss the certainty that UVa is a rape hub leads me to believe that there has been significant, unmerited damage to UVa’s reputation.</p>
<p>" However, I cannot forgive RS for claiming that UVa was driven by a “rape culture”</p>
<p>I’ve said it several times, and I will say it again. It never mattered if Jackie’s claims were true at all. The other confirmed parts of the article alone are enough to verify the claim of a “rape culture” or “systemic problems”, or whatever you want to call their policies (eg not ever throwing out an admitted rapist etc). From Emily’s confirmed account, to Liz’s confirmed account, to the actions of some men against unity marchers (which were after the article), there can be no doubt that there is a problem.</p>
<p>“Reading the parents forum and hearing high school students discuss the certainty that UVa is a rape hub leads me to believe that there has been significant, unmerited damage to UVa’s reputation.”</p>
<p>It is a rape hub. There is no denying that from other parts of the story and the dozens of women who have come forward since the article with their own stories. That doesn’t mean they are the only ones, or should be singled out, but there is a rape problem on their campus (as on all others). The problem is that UVA’s policies make the situation worse.</p>
<p>TV4caster, I do not agree that UVA has a rape culture. To the extent they have systemic issues with how sexual assault is handled and addressed at the University, I am confident that is being reviewed and changes are being made. This is more than a UVA problem. </p>
<p>There are other factors besides the RS article that are contributing to UVa’s image problem right now. There’s also the issue of the offensive mural, and the offensive song (whether people know it or not), and the series of murders of young women in the area that hopefully have stopped now that Hannah Graham’s suspected killer is in custody. Managing bad press is something all kinds of businesses and organizations have to do. UVa has a 200-year history. It should be OK.</p>
<p>My suspicion is that parents who force their kids to pull their applications (or kids who do so themselves) have other reasons as well. Obviously if the “rape culture” (if it exists) is centered around fraternities, an easy solution is to just avoid fraternities.</p>
<p>The piece of the mural is just plain strange. Almost no one had ever really looked closely at that piece before, which I guess was off in a corner. I had photographed much of that huge set of murals and never noticed that piece of it. </p>
<p>I’ve seen many many UVa alums from many years post that they never heard of the lyrics that RS used. Everyone knows the first verse, but we have no idea where the 3rd verse came from.</p>
<p>“And as somebody who wants UVa to be filled with intelligent, careful thinkers, I hope those who wanted to pull their applications based primarily on a Rolling Stone article continue to pull their applications. And I hope they become more responsible consumers of information before they resubmit their applications.”</p>
<p>Good point and my statement above (#302) was really directed at the applicants whose parents made the decision to pull the application.</p>
<p>Actually TV4 it is important if “Jackies” story is true. How can you possibly say it isn’t important?? Jackie’s story is not acurate, the fraternity link was not true, the song is not generally known by UVA students etc. No one ever contended that rape doesn’t happen, at UVA or elsewhere but the irresponsible article fueled by Jackies tale really skewed perception. It skewed perception of UVA as a whole, the administration, Deans, fraternities etc. </p>
<p>But aside from all of that, the inaccuracy of the article has really hurt future victims. You do see that don’t you. The truth is always important. </p>
<p>Rolling Stone has finally admitted the story was not properly fact-checked and is backing away from their earlier belief in Jackie’s credibility. As are her friends and supporters. Of course, this was always so darned obvious it’s frustrating… RS has issued an apology and today admits the story doesn’t add up. </p>
<p>Are you reading the reports today Sally or do you just enjoy dissecting every word of a discussion for your own purpose. There are inaccuracies in Jackie’s story, the fraternity did not have anyone working as a life guard etc. Jackie’s story is falling apart. I am as upset as you are that Jackie’s story is falling apart, not because I wanted it to be true but because discrediting her story is going to hurt other victims. I have said this repeatedly. </p>
<p>@mamalumper wrote: “But aside from all of that, the inaccuracy of the article has really hurt future victims. You do see that don’t you. The truth is always important.” </p>
<p>You are absolutely right, and I do see that. What I am saying is that too many people are saying that if Jackie’s story is false that it proves there is no problem. I am saying if her story is false it does NOT mean there is no problem. The song is in the Glee Club song book; nobody has ever been expelled for rape; Dean Erdamo’s comments are questionable to say the least; Emily’s and Liz’s stories are verified as well. The reactions of some male students to professors and others who marched in support of changes is another terrible mark upon the school. </p>
<p>What I am saying is that those facts, in totality, should be as indicative of a systemic problem as Jackie’s individual story was (is?)</p>
<p>What I am saying is that too many people are saying that if Jackie’s story is false that it proves there is no problem. I am saying if her story is false it does NOT mean there is no problem. </p>
<p>No one has ever said that, though. People just hear that on their own. And, the writer is operating on the opposite principle that the facts don’t matter because the problem is bigger than the facts of each individual case. It’s a journalistic mess and it’s a stupid operating principle whatever the issue although sometimes it works. Not this time.</p>
<p>TV4 There can always be improvements to ensure the safety of individuals. This goes for women with respect to sexual or domestic abuse, pledges in the fraternity process, citizens in the justice system and the list goes on and on. I believe we should always be a system of self review and improvement. Can UVA’s system be improved? I am sure, what I have issue with is the “UVA is such a messed up place” mantra being talked about since this article came out. I think they are suffering under the same messed up system in a gray area as every other University. </p>
<p>I hope that this can serve as a lesson for everyone who was demanding a witch hunt – please protect the rights of the accused. There is no justice in trial by media, and cases like this tarnish whatever trust people have in the justice system. I do not advocate protecting criminals who are found guilty, but I want people to consider the accused as innocent until they are proven guilty, not the other way around. Even if an issue is particularly sensitive to you, please treat others with respect and realize that even if they are actually guilty, they deserve the utmost respect as a person until they are found guilty.</p>