Thursday, March 28, 2024

Editorial board wrong about rape

The Coalition Against Sexual Violence recently gathered to discuss the editorial board’s article, “Commit to stopping sexual assault at MSU,” planning to write a letter to the editor in response.

However, when one of our members produced her own letter, referencing her experiences as a sexual assault survivor, we agreed it sent a stronger message. We are submitting it as a group, primarily to preserve her anonymity but also in solidarity with her and others who have experienced sexual violence on MSU’s campus.
“I am appalled with the way your editorial board approached sexual assault in their Nov. 9 editorial.

“I had high hopes. After several problematic editorials, a headline demanding MSU commit to preventing sexual assault on our campus was thrilling. But then I actually read the article. And I realized how willfully ignorant The State News editorial board has been.

“Stating that ‘all students have a responsibility to not put themselves in a position to encourage sexual assault’ is ridiculous. No reasonable person would ‘encourage’ others to physically and psychologically damage another human in that manner. Furthermore, you state that women on campus shouldn’t have to change their lifestyles to prevent sexual assault, which I heartily agree with. But the next half of your paragraph suggests that women who ‘act recklessly’ and walk home alone are asking to be assaulted. Decrying victim-blaming in your article means nothing when the rest of the article blames assault on a lack of preventative behaviors taken by survivors.

“The most problematic part of your editorial, however, is this sentence: ‘There is a gray area between sex students might regret in the morning and assault.’ Your editorial board shows a failure to understand consent. There is no ‘gray area’ when it comes to rape; sexual activity without vocalized, enthusiastic and continuous consent is, unquestionably, sexual assault.

“Let me be frank, here. I was sexually assaulted last semester. I didn’t tell anyone for months because of the rape culture we live in, which you perpetuate in your editorial. Despite participating in several organizations dedicated to educating about and preventing sexual assault, I was scared to be told that what happened to me was my fault. According to your article, one of the most traumatic experiences of my life falls into a ‘gray area’ between assault and a mistake. You promise to be a voice for students; your invalidating my experience makes me feel alienated and worthless.

“Were you truly committed to ending sexual assault, you would not have insinuated a possibility of ‘maybe-rape’ in a ‘gray area’ between regrettable sex and assault. You would have taken a stand and emphasized consent between sexual partners. You would have said that victims should never feel they cannot report their assault because it might not have been ‘real’ assault. You would have said rape is never the fault of the victim, regardless of their actions.

“All I want is a retraction of your victim-blaming and rape-apologetic statements.”

On behalf of the Coalition Against Sexual Violence

Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.

Discussion

Share and discuss “Editorial board wrong about rape” on social media.