Rolling Stone article on sexual assault at UVa

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
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<p>Studies have shown that the vast majority of sexual assaults at colleges are conducted by a small number of sociopathic predators, who repeat the behavior. They typically target freshman women in the first weeks of college. That is why it is essential that victims seek criminal charges, and that supportive systems be in place to assist victims. </p>

<p>The alleged murderer of UVa student Hannah Graham had allegedly committed at least 3 forcible rapes over the past decade. Two occurred at other college campuses where he was a football player and student at the time, and criminal charges were not filed in either of those cases. At least one of those victims needed to be hospitalized because of physical injuries. The victims each talked to authorities, but the cases did not move forward. As I understand it, the prosecutors said the victims decided not to file charges. The two colleges were apparently happy to have the rapist quickly leave their campus, without trying to solve the real threat to others. </p>

<p>A third rape victim in Fairfax County had immediately gone to police, and that resulting DNA evidence was helpful in supporting the charges against him in the Graham case. </p>

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<p>I came to this thread after reading the article in another area of CC. I am appalled at what is going on at UVA.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/sexualviolence/policy/”>http://www.virginia.edu/sexualviolence/policy/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>New policy open to public comment.</p>

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<p>I have absolutely no connection to this school other than my kid applying. I do however have a few comments. This type of behavior is prevalent at ALL colleges. To say it’s all rich boys is wrong. Keep in mind a large percentage of kids are in state and paying a lot less money. </p>

<p>There was an article in NYT last summer about a different college but very similar story. I’m also curious why Rolling Stone published this story? Just doesn’t seem like a very reputable source to me. Then again what media is reliable these days. And why did author have to go into such detail? Oh because rape sells papers? It disgusts me. </p>

<p>Yes reporting rape on campus has to change. If you are raped you report it to police end of discussion. If the victim chooses not to they have to live with their decision. If my daughter told me she was raped I would march her ass down to the station. I’d hope that most girls would have an open communication with their parents. I’ve taught my girls to never leave a drink unattended, drink punch or go anywhere alone on campus or off. Im curious why this girl felt so at ease going upstairs with a guy she barely knew, especially in such a volatile environment with tons of alcohol. My daughters always travel in groups even to the bathroom at these parties (again other schools with similar environments). They would NEVER go up to a boys room alone. It’s sad but in the end it’s he said she said and with alcohol in the mix often times theres a lot of gray area. </p>

<p>Obviously this gang rape is entirely different and I feel awful for the girl. I only wish she reported it when it happened. We live in a crazy world and we as parents have to teach our children how to protect themselves and teach our boys to be respectful of women and their bodies. This goes for ALL socioeconomic backgrounds. It’s not just the rich guys that rape. How the article in RS focuses on the elite rich boys is disturbing. Nobody knows their economic status. </p>

<p>I’d like to see a reputable news source come forward and report on EVERY college sexual assault rather than focusing on one (hmmm Dartmouth, Wesleyan, Princeton just to name a few). </p>

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<p>“Im curious why this girl felt so at ease going upstairs with a guy she barely knew, especially in such a volatile environment with tons of alcohol.”
Again: blaming the victim.
It is unfortunate that she didn’t go straight to the hospital or the cops but victims are so traumatized that they don’t want to relive the whole process through questionning (including usually male cops doubting their versions of the facts) and lengthy trial.</p>

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<p>Exactly my question. They called her “it.” They clearly hate women. That revolting song alone is proof. I wonder why these incidents can’t be prosecuted as hate crimes? I know that people say rape is about power and I partly agree with that, but the behavior of Drew and his fraternity brothers (along with the perpetrators in other cases like this) is full of such loathing for women that I can’t even believe it.</p>

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<p>BJAG625 – agree with you and have said all the same things over and over and know all her good friends and they operate as a pack and yet… we didn’t report. We discussed and ultimately took the lead of our daughter. Wife and I think our DD is a victim, but she refuses to see herself that way – and I wonder if that is a notion that is perhaps more common amongst high achieving, alpha female types.</p>

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<p>Incidents like this happen at many many schools unfortunately – google up “Columbia mattress” for example. Or look at last Sunday’s NY Times oped piece by a Yale Law School prof on how schools routinely mishandle campus rapes.</p>

<p>UVA seems to have more than its share of awful incidents though – the lacrosse murder, Hannah Graham, now this.</p>

<p>Not to blame the victim or excuse the schools or the rapists, but we need to teach our girls to protect themselves. Very bad things can happen to you if you wind up alone and intoxicated.</p>

<p>The 21 drinking age doesn’t help either – I’d much rather have my daughter legally pounding near beer in a bar (with sober bouncers) than doing shots illegally behind a closed door in a dorm or frat house. </p>

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<p>The Rolling Stone is a reputable news source. It may not comport with your cultural viewpoint but it has won a number of prestigious journalism awards. For better or worse focusing on well known schools brings the issue more attention than an article about the same issue at a directional school in the Midwest. And I am glad the issue is getting attention. Both our sons and our daughters need to be aware of this issue.</p>

<p>And as the mom of two daughters, I have learned to never assume that my daughters would never or always do anything. Parenting brings it’s surprises and even smart kids do dumb things.</p>

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<p>That may be what needs to happen if a woman wants to have consensual sex with a guy she is dating, no? </p>

<p>Or is the general advice to sexile one’s own roommate(s) and always bring the guy to your own room?</p>

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<p>There are two disgusting things that are apparent in the RS article, first of course is that something terrible happened to a young girl. I hope she gains the courage to press charges on whoever violated her. They all deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. However, also the second terrible thing is what rolling stone did with its shoddy journalism that violated every hardworking innocent UVA student both current and alumni. If you read that article it makes it sound like every fraternity male is running around UVA violating women after plying them with alcohol with the Deans laughing about it. To paint the entire university student body, or even just the entire greek system with the same brush is a crime as well. The vast majority of the men involved in fraternities are gentleman who are just as disgusted and saddened by her story as RS was. People on this blog are posting over and over how they would never let their wonderful children go to UVA because they are allowing an article about a group of terrible boys cast a shadow over a University full of really respectable wonderful hardworking people. And that is really sad too. </p>

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<p>It only takes a few serial predators to create a serious problem. I wish the U. would have been much more assertive in addressing these incidents. However, the administration is apparently saying that they were not told of everything that was told to the reporter. In any case, this is a wake-up call for renewed action. There are many great things about the U., and we will not tolerate this again.</p>

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<p>There are several disturbing aspects to all of this.</p>

<p>First, and foremost, the incident at the center of the article is disturbing at its face if it happened as described. The fact that any of the young “men” (I use the term loosely in this case) involved could find this behavior anything other than immoral, violent and criminal is unthinkable - as is the behavior of ANY other student who may have known of this and didn’t report it. If found true, the immediate response would/should have been expulsion of all those involved, criminal prosecution of the offenders, and immediate closure of the fraternity. End of story. </p>

<p>Secondly, the behavior of the victims “friends” was disturbing as well. No, this is not a “blame the victim” comment. But the fact that the young woman was not immediately taken to the hospital by her friends, the police were not immediately informed, and the university was not informed of all of the details when it happened is an appalling failure of logic and responsibility. Add to that the fact that 2 years have passed since the incident, so the offenders have now graduated from school, and details of the incident have only now been revealed for the first time to a media outlet, as opposed to the police and the university. This is extremely troubling on so many levels. </p>

<p>Thirdly, the article itself had a troubling tone - implying quite heavily with sweeping statements that the entire UVa student body is simply a culture of rich pretty-boy drunken sexual deviants and morally ambiguous social-stature-climbing girls. Phrases like “And so at UVA, where social status is paramount…” and “…expertly clad in the UVA-after-dark uniform of a midriff-baring sleeveless top and shorts” show an unprofessional bias in the reporting - but then, this is Rolling Stone. This is a serious subject matter that should be reported honestly without the embellishment it places on UVa students which really is irrelevant to the bottom line.</p>

<p>And lastly, some of the comments here have been troubling in making pointed accusations about the university and its student body as a whole. Singling out UVa’s student body as a “disgraceful culture”? Telling your daughter it’s a good thing she didn’t get a Jefferson Scholarship? Registering an account just to “wonder” why anyone would ever let their kids apply here? These are irresponsible comments. When the National College Women Sexual Victimization study estimated that an alarming 20-25% of college women will experience a sexual assault (successful or attempted) during their 4 years in college, they weren’t just looking at Charlottesville. </p>

<p>Make no mistake about it: this is an issue on college campuses around the country and is neither unique to, nor more prevalent at, UVa than other schools. UVa however is in a position to take a hard and very public stance on the issue of sexual assault - one that now may be watched more closely due to the attention this article has drawn to the university. I for one hope they accept the responsibility and take the lead to become a positive national example. </p>

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<p>I am not shocked, unfortunately, by the Rolling Stone article. Rape had been a problem from the beginning of time, and where there is a gang, so is gang rape. It happens at a lot of places.</p>

<p>Here is the problem with going after someone with a rape charge: evidence, due process, the legal system. In a situation where there are just two involved–the alleged rapist and the victim, proving that there was a rape is virtually impossible when it is not a stranger rape situation. The argument that a victim would not cry “rape” if it were not true, simply does not stand up in a court, and is possibly not true. Yes, there are those who have sex, and then due to the way they were treated during and afterwards, claim rape when there was consent involved. Proving that the consent is not there is very difficult. If demonstrated injury is shown, that can be evidence of assault of sort, but to prove one was forcibly raped in many scenarios is difficult. </p>

<p>If there is no relationship between the rapist and victim, it’s a lot easier. In the Fairfax rape case, that Jesse Matthews (alleged abductor of UVA student Hannah Graham), the woman was carrying groceries from a store, going to an apartment when she was assaulted and raped outside. She ran to a nearby apartement, police were called, rape kit used, hospital exam made, story given, and DNA collected. It is a match with Jesse Matthew’s buccal swab and the description the victim gave, police drawing fit. Also some throat/neck injuries were significant enough that attempted murder charges have been levied. If this victim shows up in court, I expect JM will be convicted.</p>

<p>What if the same woman had encountered JM, or other person, accepted an offer for a drink at his place, and then while there was raped, but without the grave injuries inflicted? Then it gets more tenuous. If she ran out of the apartment immediately, to a neighbor, had the police called, gotten the rape kit treatment, made the accusation right on the spot, there still may be a chance of the charges making it through the justice system. But even then, there as to proof beyond reasonable doubt that the rape occurred. If the alleged rapist claims that sex was consensual but, say afterwards, when he asked the woman to leave the apartment, called her a “ho”, laughed and made crude comments about the encounter and crushed any ideas that this was anything but a fling which angered the woman, it starts getting hairy. If no criminal record is found, no similar such accusation, and then lets say the woman has a history of having such flings, and no physical signs of being forced that withstands the test of evidence is there, what are the chances, this would make it as a conviction? </p>

<p>At a rape encounter group session, one woman had consensual sex, and when she decided to leave the premises, her partner decided he wanted more and raped her. He denies it. </p>

<p>These situations and even more where the stories come down to “she said, he said” make them frankly impossible to tell who is telling the whole truth. </p>

<p>The issue becomes more impossible when the rape is not reported for a period of time afterwards, and no physical evidence could be obtained. IMO, a gang rape is something that could have consequences to the perps, because that someone would submit to sex from multiple partner, one after another, is something that is not likely to fly. But one on one sex is a whole other story. Two people drink too much, have consensual sex, and then nasty remarks and some sobering up later, one decides it was a rape. </p>

<p>Blaming the victim has been an age old issue, It is, however, a valid issue in many situations. If you put yourself in a position where you can easily get raped, do not report it while there is physical evidence, not remember the particulars yourself because you drank too much, is this not something to impart to others to NOT do. Do not get incapacitated without trusted friends around with a pact that you stick together that evening. Do not go off on your own at night. Don’t take up bedroom invitations. The list can go on, in terms of protection. It’s not that I think less of the victim who fell into such situations; it’s the reality that certain decisions not only up the chances of being raped but also diminish the chances of getting a rapist.</p>

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<p>I think they need a policy that all allegations of assault or violence of any kind (including rape, obviously) will be immediately reported to local law enforcement authorities, and that any failure to cooperate with corresponding LE investigations will be considered an Honor Code violation.</p>

<p>You can’t force someone to admit a crime, obviously, but any witness who refuses to say what they saw should be expelled for keeping that silence. Neither the offenders nor those who enable or protect them should be tolerated in that community.</p>

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<p>" the second terrible thing is what rolling stone did with its shoddy journalism that violated every hardworking innocent UVA student both current and alumni. If you read that article it makes it sound like every fraternity male is running around UVA violating women after plying them with alcohol with the Deans laughing about it. To paint the entire university student body, or even just the entire greek system with the same brush is a crime as well."</p>

<p>OMG. It did nothing of the sort. There is a difference between a system that mishandles or covers up allegations, and one where ‘every fraternity male is running around violating women’. Overreact much? Also, there was nothing shoddy about the journalism. It is people with blinders on who think that.</p>

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<p>People who also can’t understand how the victim could refrain from pressing charges are pretty naive. I wonder how many men that are commenting her would report being sodomized by a group of people whom they knew society put on a pedestal. That would be especially true if other men had reported similar attacks in the past and been ridiculed for it. </p>

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<p>One final comment: a lot of people don’t realize that in Virginia a woman who is drunk cannot give consent. If she decides in the morning that it was a bad idea and alleges rape then it was technically rape. Most people agree that a girl who was nearly passed out drunk is incapable of thinking clearly, the law says the same thing about someone who is drunk but not passed out. </p>

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<p>My closest friend was nearly raped by top athlete in college. She went with him to his apartment and he made the moves, she refused, he wasn’t going to let it go. She agreed, got loose and immediately started throwing every thing and anything in that room onto the floor. She screamed at him that if he touched her the place was going to look ransacked and that an attack occured. She threw a trophy threw the window, trashed his TV and he threw her out. Her reaction was that it was her own danged fool fault in going alone with him to his apartment, and that would not happen again with anyone casual. Was it her “fault”? i don’t think so, but I agree that doing such things puts a person at risk. It’s an unfortunate fact of life. It should not be, but simply is. We can try to eradicate this sort of thing, but the chances of doing so right now are not good. </p>

<p>Had my friend not been able to get loose for a moment, she would have been raped, and even immediately reporting it to the authorities would not nave necessarily resulted in a criminal conviction for the perp. She was seen flirting with him, walking with him to his place, consensually entered the apartment. The only way evidence she might be able to muster is if she got him to leave marks that showed she was forcibly held or harmed. But he was strong enough to do what he wanted without having to do that, most likely. Slamming her ownself into a door and causing self injury would have been her best bet. </p>

<p>So what to do about all of those who were raped, abused, molested, assaulted, and did not report it at the time, so that there is not the evidence to pursue the perps? And what about those who might so join such band wagons, when it’s not true? I know women who cried for weeks, got depressed, had serious issues because they were unceremoniously dumped, and would have gotten back at some men had there been the support to do so, possibly even if it involved lying about the consensual nature of the sex. </p>

<p>I think a lot has to be done from this point forward, in stopping this sort of assault, not just on campuses but everywhere, Non college women often suffer the same things, but don’t have a forum to discuss it. A friend’s daughter who works a min wage job is alleging she was raped by her boss who seems to be a serial rapist of sorts, going after those he hires. Insufficient proof for a criminal case, but driven by her parents who are affluent enough to do so, it was taken to arbitration and a settlement won for sexual harassment. To lower the incidents, those who could be victims do have to take precautions NOT to put themselves in situations where they could be raped, harmed, robbed without much recourse. It’s plain common sense.</p>

<p>As for the friends of that girl in the RS article, I am plain appalled. Had that young woman had authorities brought on the scene immediately, parents callled, story told, gone to hospital, there would have likely been repercussions to the gang rapists. But years later, there simply isn’t the evidence. </p>

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<p>“If she decides in the morning that it was a bad idea and alleges rape then it was technically rape.”</p>

<p>This is not true. To be too “drunk” to consent falls under the definition of “incapacity” in Virginia, and has a specific legal meaning with regard to rape, which is: “physical helplessness: unconsciousness or any other condition that rendered the victim physically unable to communicate an unwillingness to act and about which the accused knew or should have known."</p>

<p>This is not the same as being a little drunk and then regretting your decisions in the morning. </p>

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<p>^^^ I didn’t say “a little drunk”. I said “drunk”. And, I didn’t say it, the Commonwealth Attorney that talked to our group is the one that said it. I am just passing it along. Obviously having one drink doesn’t qualify and being passed out does. I would love to know where the cutoff is. Is it the legal definition of .08?</p>