Where’s the Outcry Now?

To the Editors:

Concerning the dismissal of the sexual assault case: why is it that when someone gets beaten up, there is a gigantic college-wide outrage, people threaten to boycott graduation, there are angry complaints, parents calling up foaming at the mouth, (and on and on) yet there have been at least three reported (and let’s keep in mind that that is “reported” only) sexual assaults in a little over a month and nobody bats an eyelash? I mean, there’s always SAST, and maybe that one person who writes an angry letter, but other than that people go about their business as usual. No campus-wide protest, no boycotting graduation, no passionate, heartfelt speeches.
Any perceived injustice or slight in any state or country, and Obies will be there waving banners and chaining themselves to things, but when students are “allegedly” being raped that’s not worth more than a half-hearted condemnation of the events? Heck, before anything was proven, people were shouting for the diplomas of the alleged (at the time) attackers in last year’s beating. I have yet to hear a single person calling for the diplomas of any alleged rapists. Wait, so free speech is a worthy cause but the right to go about your business without getting beaten and violated isn’t?
But then again, this is the campus where the printed response of an official in the case of a rape at Drag Ball by a SECURITY OFFICER was basically “don’t worry, it wasn’t a student.” But I would have expected more from Oberlin students. Is rape only a big deal if it’s someone from the SOA who’s done it?
Perhaps even more upsetting than the apathy are the lessons I’ve learned from the current dismissed case:
1. Flirting with someone, saying you find them attractive, or saying you’d like to “hook up” with them gives said person full right to do whatever they want with you, up to and including rape, because obviously, expressing an interest means you want it.
If that is the case, let me make a point to declare in public that I find everyone on this planet completely, utterly unattractive, in every sense of the word, and would never ever even dream of engaging in sexual activity with them. So if anyone thinks I’m flirting with them and “asking for it” (wink, wink), you can know that you’re completely wrong, so don’t think of trying to use it against me in a court of law.
2. Any girl that is dumb enough to be in a room with two boys late at night was obviously looking to be raped/wanted to have sex.
However, strangely enough, I don’t remember the campus declaring last year (once again in the infamous beating case, which I am just using as an example and in no way trying to devalue) that anyone dumb enough to unlock their door to strangers at three in the morning deserved to be beaten.
3. Having sex with the object of your affection’s friend watching (and perhaps keeping you from leaving) is characteristic of consensual, non-coerced sex.
I have to say I don’t agree with that last one, but I am a bit of a prude. I do have to say that learning these lessons make me feel very safe attending this school.
I do have one idea that I think would benefit everyone:
The next time you read about a reported sexual assault, shrug, say “that sucks” and turn the page, try to close your eyes, and imagine, in graphic detail, (with stereo sound and texture and everything) your grandfather, mother, girlfriend, boyfriend, sister, or hey, even yourself getting violated repeatedly with a large object. And if that sounds disgusting or tasteless, well, it is.

–Desiree Herrera
College sophomore