Even though BC lost this game, I still had a great time going with my father, brother, and nephews. And even though I love college hockey and this rivalry, I want to write about something that is far more important…
On Sunday, a BU hockey star was arrested for sexual assault. Anytime I see a story like this I get angry, frustrated, and sad. I’m angry at the scumbag who did it, frustrated because I feel helpless to do anything, and sad for the victim. Although I give credit to coach Parker for kicking Trivino off the team right away, it wasn’t until today’s Globe article that I saw any mention of the victim.
Then I found out that a UVM fraternity was suspended after they asked members “If you could rape someone, who would it be?” in a survey. I really don’t know what to think. Whenever I don’t understand something, I try to put myself in the other person’s place. Do these douche bags not have mothers, sisters, cousins, and female friends that they love? I do, and I know if anyone ever assaulted any of them I would probably end up in jail after retaliating.
If these two stories aren’t bad enough, how about a rape victim being imprisoned for having sex outside of marriage and being let out of prison only if she marries the man who raped her:
The US statistics make me sick, too: Almost 1 in 5 women say they have been sexually assaulted (compared to 1 in 71 men). Like a lot of things, I think making an improvement starts at the home and can be reinforced by education. If you live in a home where women are respected and loved, I think you will be more likely do the same when you go out into the world. If students are taught about “appropriate touching”, boundaries, and that no gender is superior to the other; I think they are less likely to think they can do whatever they want to another person’s body.
I really wish I had the answers, but I don’t. I just hope this post makes at least one person more aware of what a problem sexual assault is worldwide. Even 1 in 71 is bad enough.
Thanks for talking about this, and in such a good way. It helps to be reminded that there are a lot of great men out there.
ReplyDeleteSome notes to you:
In general, we (and I'm not sure how to clarify who that includes) prefer to use 'survivor' and not 'victim'. It sounds all PC and BS, but the little tweaks in language can really change perceptions.
I think it's good, too, that the woman was barely mentioned up to this article. Our society loves to ask 'what did she do? how did she tempt him? why is she trying to ruin his life?'
It's kind of like the woman who was arrested for adultery after being raped; the belief there is that surely she tempted the rapist in some way or other, and so it's her fault, too.