A photo essay depicting a staged rape printed in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's student newspaper, the UWM Post, has sparked controversy among students, faculty and the community.
The photo essay, titled "Bedtime Stories," originally published Nov. 23 of last year, depicted former photo editor Sara DeKeuster's repressed sexual fantasy of being raped. The scenes show DeKeuster being attacked in a parking garage and forced into "unexpected intercourse," as described in the accompanying photo captions.
According to Catherine Seasholes, director of the UWM Women's Resource Center, many were outraged by the photos' graphic nature.
"The garage … appeared to be similar visually to many parking garages on campus," Seasholes noted. "Many students were concerned that the situation was real and happened on campus."
But UWM Post Editor in Chief Matt Bellehumeur said the publication strives to be cutting edge and original. The photo essay, which the paper printed as an art piece, was designed in an effort to explore ideas of female sexuality and social constraints, he said.
According to Bellehumeur, editors did not expect such a negative outcry following publication.
"Unfortunately, people like to complain more than they like to give you congratulations," he said. "I didn't expect the uproar this caused. Maybe I was just being naíve."
Bellehumeur added that much of the negative publicity from the photo essay actually came from select interest groups around campus. In that respect, he said he was happy the paper caused such a mobilization.
Following the November publication, Bellehumeur said the paper printed every letter from students regarding the essay.
The Post will also donate revenue to a local battered women's shelter this semester after selling a full-page ad at half price to the Student Association.
While some students have pushed local businesses to pull their advertising from the paper, Bellehumeur said none have called to pull ads or to complain.
Though many who saw the racy photo essay were upset, UW professor Gordon Baldwin said the right to print such material is protected by the First Amendment.
According to Baldwin, the freedom of speech and press protects photos and articles alike.
"It's all about communicating ideas, which is what's protected," Baldwin said. "But there's a big difference between what's protected by the First Amendment and what's just bad taste."
The university does not censor the paper — which is financially independent — and therefore will not take action against the paper.
UWM plans to launch a task force to explore violence against women on campus but says it is not in direct response to the photo essay.
Issues surrounding the status of women on campus, including silencing and victimization, will be discussed.
Seasholes added the photo essay and ensuing controversy initiated an increased awareness of the violence women often face.
"This is not the first time on our campus that there has been a hostile situation like this," Seasholes said. "These things have existed before and it will happen again."
