How should colleges handle rape allegations on campus?
Rolling Stone magazine recently published an article detailing the “rape culture” at the University of Virginia, illustrated by the personal account of one student who has alleged she was brutally gang-raped two years ago. Since the article’s publication, her story has raised doubts; Rolling Stone’s managing editor has issued an apology for serious discrepancies in the article. Faulty reporting aside, how colleges handle campus rape is a serious concern. Are they going too far by adopting “affirmative consent” policies or not far enough by creating a culture that discourages victims from coming forward? Should college administrations even be involved in responding to allegations, or should they leave that task to local authorities?
Having to sign a list of acts to be performed and then continue to get verbal reconfirmations of consent every few seconds throughout the activity is not how sex works. It’s an absurd bureaucratization of sex.
Campus police are like mall cops.
Anytime something important happens, they should call the real police.
Whatever action a college takes regarding a crime should be in addition to — not instead of — official legal action.
Protection of a college’s public image should not be anywhere on the list of priorities in a rape case.
We need a balance between rape culture and castrating feminism.
— George Michael Sherry,
Fort Worth
Probability is a statistical measure used to express the chances and risks in real life happenings.
This concept affects each of us everyday and is importantly applicable for students at colleges and universities.
One way to stop campus rape allegations is to eliminate the conditions and environments where they may occur.
Then, in an open and frequent format we should encourage our students to always make aware and enlightened choices whenever in social settings or any setting in which risks are possible.
Safety measures like maintaining a buddy system, minimizing alcohol consumption and constantly being aware of their surroundings can pay dividends for student safety.
Each of us can do a better job in making daily choices and we should more actively encourage others to do the same, especially our children and family members.
— Patrick Jenkins, Arlington
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This story was originally published December 12, 2014 at 7:03 PM with the headline "How should colleges handle rape allegations on campus?."