OPINION & EDITORIAL
Perpetrators must be held accountable
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by Letters to the Editor
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The most recent sexual assault on North Carroll Street has been made several people question the safety of our campus. On Monday, December 11, 2006, the Badger Herald's caption under its front page picture of North Carroll Street read, "Shadows creep onto Carroll Street where the semester's third sexual assault occurred." While this latest attack is no doubt horrendous and deserves media coverage, the majority of sexual assaults go unreported everyday. Incidents of sexual violence are more prevalent than three times a semester.
In the midst of these highly publicized stranger assaults, it's easy to forget that the majority of sexual assaults occur between acquaintances, in the victim's own home. My heart goes out to all the victims and survivors of sexual assault. Not just to the people who are violently raped by strangers on the street or in an ally, but also to those who are raped by people they know and love in their dorms, at parties and in their own homes. We live in a violent society and that is reflected in the way we think, have, and talk about sex. We also live in a society that does not treat all people equally base on gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, age, ect. This is why sexual assault is not an isolated incident because someone walked alone on a dark street. It is a complex social problem.
Putting up more lights and walking with friends can help keep people safe, but it does not stop the violence. Those efforts only reduce a person's risk of becoming a victim in very specific situations. No one is advocating for lights to be placed in dark corners of private residences, however this is the place where most people are most likely to be sexual assaulted. Lights in public places may help reduce stranger rape, but it will not end sexual violence in our world.
While I do advocate people walk with friends, carry phones, and are careful, this does not change the root of the problem in our culture. Everyone needs to take responsibility to end this societal problem. So, this includes putting up more lights on the streets, walking with friends, and being careful. But, more importantly, it includes treating people with respect. Act if you see a problem. Don't rape. The people who are making bad choices and sexually assaulting others need to be the ones held accountable for their actions on the streets and in our homes.
Danielle Pauk Senior, Psychology and Women's Studies UHS Violence Prevention Community Organizer
Anonymous (December 14, 2006 @ 4:54pm):
Here is the solution: castrate all the white males. What could be more simple?
Anonymous (December 14, 2006 @ 5:26pm):
re: previous comment
remember that even though most rapists are men, most men are not rapists. i think we can we can do better then castration.
Anonymous (December 14, 2006 @ 6:56pm):
the perp was black, how does castrating all white males help?
Men are not the problem. There are a few men that are treating women in this violent way and they need to be caught.
Anytime there is a sexual assault article, the above wacko poster of 4:54 comes up with the same line. Men would like to stop sexual assault. Please go read some more of your feminist literature and continue your hatred of half of the planet.
Anonymous (December 14, 2006 @ 8:23pm):
"castrate all the white males"
Stupid idea idiot, since the current predator is BLACK!
Yer right tho, yer simple - like simple simon was simple.
Anonymous (December 15, 2006 @ 9:09am):
Don't worry there 4:54, once all submit to Islam and sharia is in place there will be no worries. All the women will be in burkas and never outside without being under the control of a responsible male.
For as scholar al-Rafihi says: 'If I came across a rape crime - kidnap and violation of honour - I would discipline the man and order that the woman be arrested and jailed for life.'
Why would you do this, Rafihi? He says because if she had not left the meat uncovered, the cat wouldn't have snatched it.
If you take a kilo of meat, and you don't put it in the fridge or in the pot or in the kitchen but you leave it on a plate in the backyard, and then you have a fight with the neighbour because his cats eat the meat, you're crazy. Isn't this true?
If you take uncovered meat and put it on the street, on the pavement, in a garden, in a park or in the backyard, without a cover and the cats eat it, is it the fault of the cat or the uncovered meat? The uncovered meat is the problem.
If the meat was covered, the cats wouldn't roam around it. If the meat is inside the fridge, they won't get it.
If the meat was in the fridge and it [the cat] smelled it, it can bang its head as much as it wants, but it's no use.
If the woman is in her boudoir, in her house and if she's wearing the veil and if she shows modesty, disasters don't happen.
That's why he said she owns the weapon of seduction.
Satan sees women as half his soldiers: "You're my messenger to achieve my needs."
Satan tells women: "You're my weapon to bring down any stubborn man. There are men that I fail with. But you're the best of my weapons."
The woman was behind Satan playing a role when she disobeyed God and went out all dolled up and unveiled and made of herself palatable food that rakes and perverts would race for. She was the reason behind this sin taking place.
Anonymous (December 15, 2006 @ 9:37am):
"Anytime there is a sexual assault article, the above wacko poster of 4:54 comes up with the same line. Men would like to stop sexual assault. Please go read some more of your feminist literature and continue your hatred of half of the planet."
Maybe we should just castrate that guy.
Anonymous (December 15, 2006 @ 10:29am):
Let honest citizens carry guns.
Anonymous (December 15, 2006 @ 4:37pm):
Madison and UM certainly have valid reasons to be concerned abount criminal activity and sexual assaults. However, Chapel Hill, North Carolina ( described by some as the "ideal university town" ) and home to a major state university has a higher crime rate than Madison. . .
Anonymous (December 15, 2006 @ 4:58pm):
"Maybe we should just castrate that guy."
I am a woman. And you know I am right.
Anonymous (December 15, 2006 @ 11:20pm):
"I am a woman. And you know I am right."
'Cause women are alway right - just ask 'em.
Anonymous (December 18, 2006 @ 4:10pm):
How did the islam-bigot work this into another burka tirade?
Anonymous (December 18, 2006 @ 7:52pm):
6:56 - the poster (4:54) isn't feminist. Feminists believe in equality in opportunity and respect. Man Hating is its own thing.
Anonymous (December 18, 2006 @ 9:20pm):
In Islamic law you must have four male witnesses before any "Perpetrators" can be held accountable. Most rapes are blamed on the woman and she is punished - ESPECIALLY IF SHE IS NOT WEARING A BURKA!!!!!!!!!!!!1
