Buried in the back of Thursday's Post was a seemingly innocent column about whether or not men should lie when trying to get a girl to go home with them. Ms. Long began well, explaining that it's important to remember that when alcohol is involved
consent goes out the window.
That is true. In fact, engaging in sexual activity under the influence is illegal in Ohio because consent is not possible in an altered state. Ms. Long makes a horrible error, however, when she states that men should avoid misleading women in order to prevent being accused of rape. She says this might happen because some girls don't handle being lied to/taken advantage of very well.
According to the FBI, false reporting for rape is about 3 percent. That is the same percentage for false reporting for other felonies. Given that one in four women will experience an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime, and that 60 percent of rapes are not reported, the number of women (or men) who will falsely report rape is very small. It is extremely unlikely that a woman will report rape for being lied to. Perhaps, then, she might report rape not because she doesn't handle being lied to very well but because she doesn't handle being raped very well.
Considering the shockingly low rate of reporting, I think we should posture ourselves to believe, not condemn, women who do report having been raped - in all likelihood, they are telling the truth. So, Wing, I guess I'll give you the advice you need: Do not engage in sexual activity if you or your desired partner is under the influence. End of story.
Liz Herron is a junior studying political science and women's affairs commissioner of Student Senate.
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Opinion
