Concern Duke rape case reinforces myths

[goodhue]

http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=134&id=3313

World: North America

Concern Duke rape case reinforces myths

Two Duke University lacrosse students were arrested Tuesday on charges of kidnapping and raping a womanwho was hired to dance at an off-school party, but experts are concerned the case could be spreading rape myths.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

by Spero News

* * *

Karen Baker, director of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), said she is worried that recent media attention of the rape case involving the Duke University Lacrosse Team could be spreading rape myths.

"I am concerned that public opinion surrounding this case is essentially elevating rape myths and innuendo, and increasing confusion. Rape is a devastating crime that deserves thoughtful deliberation and a clear understanding of the facts," said Baker.

* * *

Monika Johnson-Hostler, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault also expressed concern over the recent coverage of this case.

"The public discussion in the media of this case demonstrates fairly widespread misunderstandings of the real facts about sexual assault, DNA, trauma, the role of alcohol, 'date rape drugs' and a host of other facts. It shows how deeply imbedded certain myths are about this crime. Sexual assault experts and advocates have for years tried to dispel these rape myths," Johnson-Hostler said.

* * *

Baker added, "I am also concerned about some of the misunderstanding regarding DNA evidence in rape cases. The vast majority of rape cases do not have DNA evidence and in many of these cases, the only evidence there is comes from the identification of the perpetrator by the victim."

* * *

http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=134&id=3313

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. I blame those dumb forensic shows.

People watch them and they think they understand how DNA works.

[greyl]

2. Count how many times "sexual violence" and "sexual assault"

appear in that article.
Kind of goes against the extreme claim that rape has nothing to do with sex, doesn't it?

[Triana]

3. K & R I've had the same concerns...

...it's quite evident that people do not understand this crime and that lack of DNA evidence does not imply innocence. I won't hold my breath for the Mysogenist, chest-beating, warcry-bleating, he-man bu$hit admin - to be aware enough of this issue to support or promote any major national educational initiative on the subject. But that IS what's needed. I doubt they consider it a problem since it doesn't affect THEM.

[NewInNewJ.]

4. Saw a little of Fox news last night,

Brit Hume and his group were discussing the fact that they can't identify the Victim, and can identify the guys that are accused. They thinks it's time that that changed. Sickos

[IndyJones]

29. I caught Hannity last night saying pretty much he didn't believe

the victim because of lack of DNA at this point.

Screw him. As if he has all the facts to determine one way or the other. He's suddenly a DNA/rape expert?

[AllieB]

5. Given the tone of discussion on DU over the past few days

this line in particular is very important:

"The vast majority of rape cases do not have DNA evidence and in many of these cases, the only evidence there is comes from the identification of the perpetrator by the victim."

[goodhue]

6. Yes, that is the key line

[patcox2]

7. Yes, the myth that escorts get paid to have sex.

Yeah, thats a prevalent myth that needs to be dispelled. When the escort service talks about you having a "party," thats what they mean, party, funny hats and streamers, thats all. Its not a euphemism.

[Neil Lisst]

8. You mean ...

... there's more than "dancing" involved in escort services?

Is that extra, to be worked out with the women when they show up?

Thanks for commenting on another "myth," we're seeing here - the myth that women don't sell themselves for various sex acts and use the escort and private party dance as the set up.

It's important to consider that she may have conducted some business with one or more players IN the bathroom. I'm talking about BJs or HJs.

[patcox2]

9. Its not impossible that its a misunderstanding over what was included

in the price paid.

Of course, once she made it clear that sex was not included, then its rape, I am not excusing, just mitigating.

[Neil Lisst]

11. the facts seem to suggest she had sex with someone else

There is DNA, it's just not DNA from any player. The DA has said that.

[freeplessinseattle]

27. oh, puhleeze! think this through now

usually clients don't just grab escorts and plunge into them, believe it or not, and if he didn't just grab her then wouldn't she have siad something once she saw his pants wre down and a condom on? talk to some actual escorts, they'll set you straight.

[patcox2]

28. I have no idea what escort etiquette is.

I would not know if it is customary or not to just plunge right in to the escort.

And I did say, once she made it known to them that they did not have permission, it became rape. It may have begun with them thinking that sex comes with the performance, but once she told them no, it became rape.

[goodhue]

10. You suggest that there were consensual sex acts in the bathroom

Interestingly, the current defense line is that the suspects were not even in the house at the time of the alleged rape.

[Neil Lisst]

12. we don't know how they identified these guys

I don't know if it was her ID, or if it was the DNA from the towel in the bathroom.

I'm not suggesting they had sex or didn't, and not suggesting she agree to do anything or not. I'm suggesting such a discussion could have taken place, and may have ended up with some sex, no sex, or something in between.

I do not assume that if she had sex it was with someone at the party.

[goodhue]

13. Such a "discussion" could have taken place in the bathroom as you suggest

But none of the players nor the defense have suggested as much, as far as I can tell.

[patcox2]

15. The only people who know are those who did it.

First, they are not required to air their defense in public. Many here in fact rabidly criticize the airing of any defense as a deliberate attempt to poison the jury pool.

But anyway, each of the players has their own defense. For most of them, their defense is that they did not do it. For a few of them, their may be some other defense. But there is no reason why whoever it was that had intercourse with the victim would come forward and say "it was consensual," all that would do is incriminate them.

[Neil Lisst]

16. I know. I think the truth lies in between.

What went on for 15-20 minutes there? There's that hole in the timeline.

[patcox2]

14. It may be that these young men did not do it.

So naturally there "line" would be that they were not there.

I am not suggesting that there were consensual acts. I am suggesting that escorts traditional accept money in exchange for sex. This woman was to receive several hundred dollars. Whoever the boys were who were in the bathroom may have initially had a mistaken impression that some sex was included in her price. Regardless, assuming that she informed them of their mistake, their subsequent actions would still be rape.

[Neil Lisst]

31. Let's consider your idea.

Do this like Rod Serling.

Two dancers from an escort service arrive at a house where they think they're going to "party" with 4 men. But when they arrive, there are 40 crazed lacrosse players, drinking and acting a fool.

The dancers, perhaps against their best judgment, decided to go forward with the show. They did their first dance. They were appalled by some of the things heard and suggested, so they decided to leave. Someone went outside and persuaded them to come back inside.

The accuser goes into the bathroom. The question is what happened in that bathroom while she was in there. That would be the natural place that the "real" planned customers of this event might hook up with her for something like a hand job. That would explain the DNA of two players on a towel in the bathroom.

I don't know what happened, but IF she planned to making money beyond the dancing, it would probably have involved either a bj or hj, and it would have taken place somewhere like the bathroom.

As for her condition, was she drugged, or did she take drugs? Dancers getting high to do their work is not exactly an unusual event. Many have to get high to get out there.

This woman may have only been a dancer, may have never done more than that, but it's appropriate to note that escort services normally send prostitutes, and it is expected that they will be bargaining for sex acts.

If these guys raped her, they should be convicted. But while getting there we should not gloss over the real possibility she was there to do more than dance, which might explain sexual contacts, if they did occur.

[bobalu]

17. Ummm....In attempting to dispel a supposed "myth"..."That

women don't sell themselves for various sex acts and use the escort and private party dance as the set up".

You've forgotten a couple of very important words..and those are "Sometimes" and "Maybe"...

In any case, I'm quite sure that the Defense will be anxious to mention this "possibility"...

[Neil Lisst]

18. ummmm ... I like it just fine

the way I wrote it.

I didn't write or imply "all women," and your comments are snarky but not useful. "Sometimes" you should resist the urge to be petty, and "Maybe" that would serve you better.

In any case, I'm quite sure that the Defense will explore this possibility in cross examination.

[bobalu]

19. ...When qualifiers are not used, the implication certainly CAN

be "all" and there's nothing "snarky" in pointing that out.

As to being "petty"..well, you may think so, but since I AM a rape victim, I'll just have to disagree.

[Neil Lisst]

20. you can INFER whatever your perception allows you to infer

and I'm sure you will

I'm not going to worry about whether my language fits your personal vocubulary.

[bobalu]

21. No, I don't imagine that you worry (or think) much about that which

isn't part of YOUR personal experience ..What's unfortunate about people like yourself, is that that doesn't keep you from TALKING about it.


..Consider yourself ignored.

[Neil Lisst]

22. I prefer to use reason, logic, and accurate use of language ...

... to reach my conclusions and state them.

My point is that you will read each post and process it through your "acceptable vocabulary processor," ruling on each one as you do. That's your head, your mind, your choice of language. Not mine.

[bobalu]

23. Failing to use qualifiers -- and then backing off the original

statement as to its being stated as FACT -- is NOT an "accurate use of language"..but since it's clear that you've got problems with "being wrong"..I'll just back off of your little pissing match while I search for my ignore button.:eyes:

[Neil Lisst]

24. promises, promises

You can tell someone you're putting them on ignore, but you must do so. To do otherwise IS a violation of the rules of DU.

[bobalu]

25. ...like I said...I'm LOOKING for it!

[goodhue]

26. .

[marions ghost]

30. yes I see how rape myths can be reinforced by the media

but they are out there anyway. Awareness of true facts about rape can also be spread in the wake of something like this. You can only help educate those who are unaware. It's a hard job to try to turn around people whose minds are closed. It's the usual problem with any controversial social issue.