high school rape case in Ohio

[oragator1]

Has anyone else seen the details of this? Basically, a girl passed out and was raped at a party at the end of summer. Someone posted a video of it online, the video including including many kids making jokes about her among other things. Many of the kids were football players who the coach refused to suspend because they told him they didn't do anything (even though there was video), the prosecutor may have actually hosted one of the parties where this happened, and only 2 witnesses have been willing to come forward, though many many more were in the video. Locals who put things up on social media about it at the time have taken it down and have clammed up. And there are tweets from locals blaming the kids, the coach threatened a reporter who had the gall to ask him about it telling them they or their family would get theirs, while half the town seems to support the boys, in no small measure because it's a high school football town. The prosecutor even tried to get them to not file charges. Anonymous has now gotten involved (happily for once), CNN finally had a piece on it tonight. Here is the original story, as well as a quick Q&A on it with some additional info.
But to me, this is why cases like the PSU were so important to send a strong message on, if football played even a 5% role in why these kids felt entitled then the town deserves the national firestorm coming down on it. It's not more important than life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/17/sports/high-school-football-rape-case-unfolds-online-and-divides-steubenville-ohio.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/01/steubenville-high-football-rape-crew/60554/

[bluelang]

Seems like a lot of the kids did the prosecution a big favor by admitting details and conversations on videos.

There's this phenomenon in situations like this where a group of people want to move past a bad event and a sentiment of "with the rape, there was only one victim. if we prosecute all these boys, we're creating dozens of victims" can build, thus creating inertia in the proceedings.

Obviously this is an incorrect position to hold, but most people don't see very far beyond their own emotions, so it isn't surprising.

I think I'll talk to my kids about this and remind them that if they see something bad going on and feel like they'd get beat up for trying to stop it, they can always video it and leave. Isn't the best solution but might be the most pragmatic.

[GatorFanCF]

Wow, have we as a society messed things up:
Tax collectors who dodge taxes
Priests who abuse children
Mothers who kill the unborn
Bankers who risk, squander and lose billions of their investors' money; and,
Politicians/Prosecutors who allow the banksters freedom AND cover their losses
As well as human beings actually rooting for FSU.
Some are legal, some are not; but, it's one crazy f-upped world.

So, sorry for the girl - her life is messed up no matter what happens in court. There are always 3 sides to each story: hers, his, and the truth.

[oragator1]

Seems like a lot of the kids did the prosecution a big favor by admitting details and conversations on videos.

There's this phenomenon in situations like this where a group of people want to move past a bad event and a sentiment of "with the rape, there was only one victim. if we prosecute all these boys, we're creating dozens of victims" can build, thus creating inertia in the proceedings.

Obviously this is an incorrect position to hold, but most people don't see very far beyond their own emotions, so it isn't surprising.

I think I'll talk to my kids about this and remind them that if they see something bad going on and feel like they'd get beat up for trying to stop it, they can always video it and leave. Isn't the best solution but might be the most pragmatic.

One of the things a psychologist said on CNN was that the reason many kids don't come forward is because they don't trust the adults to protect them for doing the right thing. Making sure they know they are supported is probably as important as anything.

[corpgator]

It wasn't just one party. She was dragged from party to party and raped repeatedly, and probably by more than just the two who were her "escorts." Her ex set her up and drugged her to be gangraped for recompense for dumping him. Sick sick human beings.

[oragator1]

Just as a follow up, even after the release of that video with other kids laughing as she is being assaulted, no one else will be charged. I saw Jeffrey Toobin speak about this the other day, he kind of agreed, there isn't really a law for stupidity or immorality.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2257996/Sheriff-says-charges-Ohio-high-school-rape-case-angry-protesters-demonstrate-outside-local-courthouse.html

[fairfaxgator]

I wonder if Akin or the idiot from Indiana have anything to say about this...

[egator1245]

I wonder if Akin or the idiot from Indiana have anything to say about this...

Why would you even ask that?

[corpgator]

Just as a follow up, even after the release of that video with other kids laughing as she is being assaulted, no one else will be charged. I saw Jeffrey Toobin speak about this the other day, he kind of agreed, there isn't really a law for stupidity or immorality.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2257996/Sheriff-says-charges-Ohio-high-school-rape-case-angry-protesters-demonstrate-outside-local-courthouse.html

Claims are she was raped by a lot more than 2 guys, practically half the football team.

[JohnC1908]

This entire deal makes me sick and I really wonder how this kind of culture exists in 2013. I hope if I grew up in a town like this I wouldn't have this kind of mentality.

[Tebowism0823]

Doesn't surprise me at all. Feel horrible for the girl and those thugs should be given the same treatment locked away for life!

[ArtVandelay]

on a similar note, does anyone remember Raw Deal: A Question of Consent. It was the documentary about the rape at UF. I have always wanted to get a copy of it, but can't seem to find it anywhere. Does anyone know where I can find it?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0239879/