Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Hilda Pettit <>]

I'd like to say that one Stacy, one of the students shown on Dateline, is
one of my students at Kent State, and I am very proud of her and the other
students for telling their stories.  I also visited the Dateline and MSNBC
website, but was not offended by the list of safety tips.   I don't see
them as blaming anyone.  These tips are relevant for both women and men,
and will do no harm.  There is, however, an important point to remember -
date or acquaintance rape is usually perpetrated by someone the victim
knows and trusts, and many of the safety tips listed are not useful in this
situation.

The Dateline story will be soon forgotten, and websites change.  I'd prefer
to see materials about preventing rape distributed via this and other
listservs to campus readers who will actively reproduce and distribute the
materials to the appropriate audience.

Hilda Pettit
Kent State University
Women's Resource Center
Ph. 866-339-3699




                                                                           
             "Ben Atherton-Zeman                                           
             - Feminist,  Actor                                            
             and Husband"                                               To 
             
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             om>                                                        cc 
             Sent by:                                                      
             

                                  Subject 
             il.Virginia.EDU              Dateline story about campus rape 
                                                                           
                                                                           
             12/11/2005 09:32 PM                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           





The young women portrayed in tonight's "Dateline" episode were articulate,
brave and well-spoken.  Our colleagues at "Security on Campus"
distinguished themselves, and provided important information for the
Dateline website, www.dateline.msnbc.com.  The alarming lack of campus
response to rape was portrayed with clarity and appropriate alarm.

But the program encouraged us to read more at their website - so I did, and
was disappointed.  MSNBC's rape prevention tips were aimed only at
potential victims - it was a good list, and they made sure to give lip
service to not blame victims, but it reinforced the notion that it's
victim's responsibility to prevent rape.  If that doesn't blame the victim,
what does?

I think we should email NBC and ask them to add some primary prevention
tips - Men Can Stop Rape's "10 things men can do to stop rape" or
equivalent.  Their email is 

 - they have a story blog and
we can write it there, too - I've already done that.

If the Dateline site doesn't have the story any more, try
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10382613/.  - Ben

Ben Atherton-Zeman, Acton MA USA
Actor, Comedian, Feminist and Husband
Presenting a One-Man Play: "Voices of Men," www.voicesofmen.org (video
clips take a second to load)
Booking information: 978-263-3254

December 2005 quote: "Most men are not violent and most violence is
perpetrated by men.  It is in the exquisite tension that exists between
these two realities that you'll find the Men's Resource Center for Change.
It's where we work the fertile ground of possibility, of personal and
social transformation...

We believe in men's potential to change.  We believe in men's ability to
grow...We believe in men's capacity to do the right thing.  Simply put, we
believe in men.  Holding these beliefs doesn't mean we hesitate, even for a
minute, to hold men accountable for their behavior..."
- Rob Okun, Executive Director, Men's Resource Center for Change.  Become a
dues-paying member (like me) at www.mrcforchange.org

p.s. my favorite new bumper sticker: "Republicans for Voldemort"
www.goats.com
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