History of Feminism
Related: About this forumRape and Other Crimes: Sexist Policy and Campus Safety » Sociological Images
Last week the students learned of a report of a sexual assault second-hand (from the media), simultaneously discovering that the administration had declined to send out an OxyAlert in response. Considering this a betrayal of their agreement, the students organized a march, petition, and tumblr.
In response, the president of Occidental College, Jonathan Veitch, wrote a letter to the campus community . In it, he confirms what the students of Occidental fear: he is inclined to disbelieve students that report sexual assault. He writes that OxyAlerts in cases of reports of sexual assault are not possible or desirable because:
In the first few hours, days or even weeks, it is not always clear what has happened in incidents like these. Investigators need time to sort through conflicting accounts in order to provide a clear narrative of what took place.
By suggesting that incidents like these need vetting, Veitch is reproducing a bias against sexual assault victims that feminists have been trying to eradicate for decades. He is saying that sexual assault reports must be sort(ed) through, but reports of all other crimes can be taken at face value. In other words, there is nothing wrong with the OxyAlert system per se, he just doesnt think that women who report sexual assaults should necessarily have access to it. This is unacceptable.
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http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2013/03/06/rape-and-other-crimes-sexist-policy-and-campus-safety/
We have so far to go.
ismnotwasm
(41,976 posts)We have a system of police reports; no one has to be convicted, no names are used. I get it in my work email. It's a good system, and includes attempted robberies, things of that nature.
This is sick shit and the president needs to be fired.
DURHAM D
(32,609 posts)UNC and its Honor Court have failed sexual assault survivors
redqueen
(115,103 posts)Thankfully the tide seems to be turning, with more and more women working to change things.
ismnotwasm
(41,976 posts)And there are, no doubt cries of 'false accusation' you know---just to make make it stand in solidarity with the rest of sexual assault justice.
unc70
(6,113 posts)This caution isn't as strong as my one early on regarding the Duke lacrosse case, but from everything I can tell you should be wary of this specific case.
BTW The Indy article you linked isn't up to their usual standards. Sloppy, lots of little mistakes. Really needed an editor. When you can't get the names and dates right, it erodes your credibility. Still probably better than the typical story on this at wral.com.
DURHAM D
(32,609 posts)unc70
(6,113 posts)The N&O story is poorer quality than the Indy one. Pounding on UNC sells papers in Raleigh.
In this case and the related Federal complaint, I think it prudent to wait on the evidence, particularly since the key allegations in the complaint have been strongly denied by UNC attorneys.
As for the underlying case itself, the buzz on campus among students who know them is enough to warn me off while the investigations continue.
DURHAM D
(32,609 posts)ignoring the others and the process.
JFTR - The attorneys are charged with protecting the university and the process thus I am not particularly interested in their spin.
unc70
(6,113 posts)UNC has already posted ten years worth of documents that refute one of the main allegations in the complaint.
We can revisit this when the investigations are complete. Until then, I've said about all that I can.
freeplessinseattle
(3,508 posts)regressive & unsafe his alma mater has turned out to be.
Wonder if sending the article his way would help at all? Would love to see the college Prez's face when he gets schooled by the real Prez!