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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 11:00 AM Apr 2013

The Steubenville Rape Case Is Back — Are Parents at Party Houses to Blame?

ALEXANDER ABAD-SANTOS 3,198 ViewsAPR 8, 2013
The long and potentially dead-end grand jury process is underway in the rape case in Steubenville, Ohio, but potential new civil suits against the adults who own the houses where the multiple attacks occurred may shed light on several unanswered legal questions: Where were the parents when a 16-year-old girl was being raped in an alcohol fueled night of partying? Who else could be held responsible for a sex crime with an online diary? And what is the new line of privacy for football post-game party hosts when the party turns into a national dialogue? Local law experts and an examination of testimony about the three houses in question reveal that, well, the grown-ups in Steubenville might get off the hook — and the jagged puzzle of accountability may go unsolved.

Eric Minor of local NBC affiliate WTOV — perhaps the most well sourced reporter covering the case, who reported Monday that an investigative grand jury selection "could take a while" — had first word of the civil suits: "Letters have been sent to at least some of the people who own the homes mentioned during the trial, possibly others ... to notify their homeowner insurance companies ... that they may be subject to a liability claim in civil court." Here's the full segment from over the weekend:

video and more at link:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/04/steubenville-parties-suits/63995/

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The Steubenville Rape Case Is Back — Are Parents at Party Houses to Blame? (Original Post) DonViejo Apr 2013 OP
I think the parents should be held accountable. Sheldon Cooper Apr 2013 #1
If the parents knew there was a party going on in their house gollygee Apr 2013 #2
In my county parents are held responsible for any crimes committed at their house or kids who drive Happyhippychick Apr 2013 #3
When I had parties at my home for my son and his friends I had limits how many southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #4

Sheldon Cooper

(3,724 posts)
1. I think the parents should be held accountable.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 11:12 AM
Apr 2013

They are liable if there is alcohol served to minors in their home and minors get into an accident after leaving the home. They should certainly be held accountable if multiple rapings of an unconscious person is going on at their home.

One of the things I hope the grand jury discovers is the culpability of a particular coach on the night in question. Early reports (rumors?) indicated that the boys showed up at his house with the drugged girl in tow and the coach merely told them to take the party elsewhere. I'd like to learn the truth of that and I hope it comes out.

gollygee

(22,336 posts)
2. If the parents knew there was a party going on in their house
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 11:16 AM
Apr 2013

then it was there responsibility to make sure it didn't turn into an alcohol-fueled rapefest. They have to provide some level of supervision.

If the parents weren't home and the kid threw a party without their knowledge, then I don't think they can be held responsible.

Happyhippychick

(8,379 posts)
3. In my county parents are held responsible for any crimes committed at their house or kids who drive
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 11:44 AM
Apr 2013

home drunk.

 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
4. When I had parties at my home for my son and his friends I had limits how many
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 12:33 PM
Apr 2013

could come over and no booze period. I told him the first sign the party would be closed down. I would tell him I would be the one who would get in trouble if something bad happened. I didn't have many parties but when I had them they didn't get out of hand and they went home at a responsible time. I made sure everyone leaving was fine when they went out the door. It is a parents responsibility period. The kids don't like it then no more parties. I don't care if they are sports players or not if it is in my home I will be looking in when you least expect it. As a parent I'd want my son/daughter to behave themseleves at someone elses home. If my kid wasn't in any condition I'd want the parents to call me and I would go get my child then ask the parent how come did they allow drinking in their home.

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