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

 two quick points:


1. I think it's very important? to talk about risk reduction -- but to be 
clear that for the aggressor -- the risk is being prosecuted for a crime and 
going to prison.? for the victim - the risk is being violated.? one is a 
serious harm and wrongful behavior.? the other is not.? people too easily put 
the aggressor and victim on the same moral plane.? this should not be the 
message conveyed to students -- and using theft as an analogy is always 
helpful.

if i walk around with my money hanging our of my pocket b/c i'm too drunk to 
protect my stuff -- it gives nobody permission to take it - but it does 
increase the risk that a criminal will exploit my situation -- 

do we teach thieves risk-reduction? or do we teach students they have no 
entitlement and cannot simply TAKE the money just because a person isn't 
doing a good job protecting their property?

2. It shouldn't matter what the law calls the behavior.? building policies 
around labels adds to what i like to call the needless "complification" of 
language in this context.? In my book - i write about how in 50 states it is 
craziness that we have more than 30 words and phrases to describe the crime 
of penetration without consent.? The more confusing things are, the less 
effective we can be at prevention, etc.? 

when someone takes my money without my consent - it's larceny -- and if they 
also use force, it's robbery.? nothing compllicated - everyone understands 
the terms.? but when someone takes my bodily integrity without my consent, 
it's not even a crime, unless force is used (i thought bodies and people were 
more important than stuff??) and even then -- we call it so many darn 
different things - is it an wonder students don't have a clue what's allowed 
-- what's a crime, etc?

if universities could lead the way with a uniform language system -- that 
would be GREAT! --

I created and run a project at my law school called "the judicial language 
project" where we critique the words courts use to describe violence against 
women and children -- we use socio-linguistic research (there isn't much out 
there) and propose alternatives so that courts can begin to use clear terms 
and more appropriate language -- rather than needlessly erotic words, blaming 
language and vague words that convey nothing about what really happened.

schools are just as important as courts-- so feel free to check out the 
website -- at nesl.edu (under center for law and social responsibility) -- 

wendy murphy