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

["Mahri Irvine" <>]

I agree with the others who have responded that it’s problematic to use a word such as “unintentional” when we’re discussing sexual assault. Aren’t there one or two studies showing that the “miscommunication” theory about rape is not valid? And at the very least, perpetrators rape because they are buying into the notions of their own entitlement and privilege—while they may not be “intending” to cause serious harm, they are certainly still intending to take what they want, from whom they want, whenever they want it, because they think they deserve it, or they think it’s acceptable to make decisions for women. It’s not as though rape just accidentally happens. So, even if we are looking at a “complicated” situation such as intoxicated acquaintance rape versus sober stranger rape, the situation really isn’t all that complicated at all, because we’re still dealing with issues of cultural power imbalances, notions of entitlement, and men assaulting women because they want to.

 

Also, on a personal note: as a student, I would be horrified if my university used language such as “intentional” and “unintentional”  sexual assault, and I would create quite a scene protesting this. So be aware that you might receive negative feedback from students who are upset over this type of wording.

 

Mahri Irvine

Doctoral Student

American University

Department of Anthropology

 

“Critiques should be coupled with collective action. Just as reality without critique equals self-delusion, critique without action produces only nihilism and despair." -Randall McGuire (Archaeology as Political Action, 2008:39)

 

From: Sholock, Adale [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 11:51 AM
To:
Subject: Definitions for Sexual Misconduct Policy

 

A group of us are rewriting the sexual misconduct policy at WCU, and we are having some difficulty agreeing upon definitions. I was hoping to get some advice and input from this list.

 

My team and I have agreed upon the need for categories such as effective consent, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, and stalking. However, there has been contentious conversation around the idea of having two separate categories for sexual assault. In short, the proposal is that Sexual Assault I would refer to “intentional” acts whereas Sexual Assault II would refer to “unintentional” acts. Sexual Assault I would be more severe in punishment than Sexual Assault II. It seems that UVA and UC San Diego do something similar to this with their policies.

 

The idea is that a delineation between “intentional” and “unintentional” would broaden the conception of sexual assault to include those complicated situations involving non-strangers, alcohol, poor communication, and lack of understanding regarding effective consent. As a result of this more inclusive definition, our hope is that: 1) survivors would be more able to identify their experiences as sexual assault and come forward for help; 2) we would challenge “stranger danger” messages; 3) we would emphasize the need for effective consent rather than one’s intentions to assault someone.  

 

Any thoughts?

 

Best,

Adale  

 

Adale Sholock, Ph.D.

Director, Women's Center

Director, Institute for Women

220 Lawrence Center

West Chester University

West Chester, PA 19038

t: 610-436-2122

e:

www.wcupa.edu/womenscenter

 

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