We, like many students on this campus, found ourselves captivated by the coverage of the Kulchar rape case. We, like many, read The Post diligently, looking for news. Following the end of the trial, we have found ourselves extremely disappointed with the quality of coverage of the trial.
Please, take note, our intent is not to comment on the result of the trial or the people involved in the case. Our mission is to expose rape myths for what they are.
1) This room was not in some secluded cabin in the woods
but it was in a crowded dorm during Homecoming weekend with constant activity and people walking in the hallways Toy wrote in court documents (as published in an Oct. 27 Post story): Rape can occur at any place, at any time. If the presence of others were an actual deterrent, it would stand to reason that no one would ever be raped in a city. Obviously, that is not true. In fact, rainn.org states that 4 in 10 sexual assaults occur inside a victim's home.
2) Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned
said Toy (Post, Oct. 28). She sounded upset because they had sex but were not in a relationship, Kulchar said (Post, Nov. 4).: According to ccasa.org, FBI statistics show that the rate of false reports for rape is 3 percent, equivalent to false reporting for all other felony crimes. Women do not just cry rape.
3) The two had a prior sexual relationship that included rough sex, said Toy (Post, Oct. 28).: According to rainn.org, 73 percent of victims know their attackers. 28 percent of attacks are perpetrated by an intimate
like a close friend, past sexual partner or significant other. Additionally, prior sexual intimacy is not justification for forced sex later on.
4) Kulchar couldn't have overpowered the woman because she outweighs him by 30 pounds, Toy said (Post, Oct. 28).: Ccasa.org explains this one - some people do not fight their attacker, due to socialization or fear. This inaction is not consent. Anyone can be raped - even the strongest of men.
5) Maybe
we as a society make women victims too often when sometimes responsibility should be had by all people
Toy said (Post, Nov. 6).: rainn.org points out that 39 percent of rapes are reported to the police, and of this number, only 16.3 percent of rapists will ever spend time in jail, which means that 15 out of 16 rapists walk free. Sexual assault is one of the most under-reported and under-punished crimes.
This letter does not mean that The Post failed to cover everything adequately. However, we worry that not addressing these myths will serve to further encourage the perpetuation of fiction as fact. The wide acceptance of these myths makes it difficult for victims to speak up, let alone report the crime. Sexual assault is a serious issue, one that will affect 1 in 33 men and 1 in 4 college women (rainn.org).
Due to this risk, reporting the facts about rape cases is extremely important, and given the popularity of The Post among students, we determined that the best course of action was a corrective one. In writing this letter, we hope that in the future, more analysis will be involved when presenting ideas about rape and sexual assault in the community.
This letter represents the opinions of Student Senate members Liz Herron, Emily Dunlap, Robert Leary, Molly O'Brien, Andrew Wade, Killian Evans, Emily Shuki, Emily Bacha, John Calhoun,Erin Dame and Robin Jones.
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Opinion
Letter to the Editor
