Morning Read: UVM fraternity asks members who they would choose as rape victim
The Burlington Free Press is reporting that a University of Vermont fraternity has been suspended after members allegedly distributed a survey asking, apparently in an effort at humor, about their preferred rape victim.
The Sigma Phi Epsilon survey question was: “If you could rape someone, who would it be?” according to an email from the organization FedUp Vermont and several online blogs. Other blogs listed slightly different wording.
Members of the Burlington fraternity, often called Sig Ep, would not comment. A woman inside the fraternity house was overheard several times telling members, “Don’t answer the door.” Members looked outside at a reporter but did not respond Tuesday night.
Fraternity members did not respond to emails seeking comment, and a phone number was not in service.
Investigations are underway to determine disciplinary action, and to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. Read the full article here.
I remember when boys could be boys and joke about such things and it wouldn’t be a concern because no one cared about what happened to females. Ah the good ol days ruined by “political correctness.”
*sarcasm*
Boys will be boys. Girls will be girls and adults, especially politicians and those in the media, will always be shocked.
@Pete K. – really?! A day after we hear that 20% of all women in the US have faced some form of sexual assault, it’s all about “boys will be boys.” This is exactly the kind of BS and lack of concern that allows for this to occur. It’s always “boys will be boys” until someone’s 13 year old daughter is raped, or a coach systematically rapes boys over many years. We don’t have nearly enough outrage or shock.
Brian, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I’ve contacted the UVM president and will be interested to see whether he takes a more visible role than he has so far.
When I wrote “boys will be boys” I was referring to the stupidity of young men and was not endorsing their stupid behavior.
You can pass all the laws you want but you will not change a thing.
Question. How many movies have you watched involving high school or college men acting stupid (Animal House) and laughed your way through it?
How many stupid beer commercials involving the same “boys will be boys” have you seen and then gone out and bought some beer?
What about “Two and a Half Men?”
No, what I really object to is people thinking they can claim they are highly moral by simply saying, “I am so shocked!”
Pete, I think you’re missing something here. If UVM took real action, say by banning that frat, it WOULD have an impact. Even better, they could use this as an opportunity to talk about rape, and why “no” always means “no.”
Yes, Pete, I’m afraid you’re living in the past, here. The Boys Will Be Boys attitude is, thankfully, fading into history. It’s not a matter of being Shocked To Show Moral Superiority. It is a matter of saying “this behavior is flat-out unacceptable.” Life isn’t a movie.
When I was in a frat back in the 60’s we had a “house father”. He provided vital guidance to a group of boys who had just left the nest. I wonder if they still use house fathers and what if any role they play.
Football coaches evidently make good house fathers, and role models
Frats all need to go, they are nothing but drugs, booze and rape centers.
The universities that have fully gotten rid of frats are all better off, nothing was ever lost from a university by getting rid of fraternities.