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

[Kathy Platt <>]

I concur-it would be detrimental to bring this man in and it sounds as though his speaking engagements are possibly a way for him to place his personal responsibility on  something other than where is should be….which of course is him!

 

Kathy Platt, MHC

Registered Mental Health Counselor Interin #IMH8556

Director, Victim Services

Peace River Center

 

From: Heskin, Jessica R [mailto:]
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2011 12:43 PM
To: Linda Abbott;
Subject: RE: Convicted Rapist as Campus Speaker

 

One of our campus fraternities wanted to bring him.  We had a meeting and my program raised SERIOUS concerns about it.  He attempted to rape his college-aged babysitter while his kids were in the house.  She dropped out of school as a result.  He was 33 when he did this.  His message from what I’ve read in the press is basically that he was in a black-out drunk when he did it and so it wasn’t his fault; it was the alcohol.  So guys, beware.  Alcohol can make you a rapist.

 

Sexual Assault Victim Advocate for over 10 years at this university, I have very strong opinions about this.  So I do not think hiring a convicted sex offenders to talk to young college men about alcohol and rape is a good idea.  I know many men who are black out drinkers; they don’t rape.  So the issue is being integrated into alcohol as a way for him to dodge culpability.  Drinking to excess is definitely a problem; however, being a sex offender is a very different problem.   And paying him a bunch of money to hear him talk about it doesn’t make sense when there are wonderful male speakers out there who can address either or both issues. 

 

I don’t think it looks good for universities in a public relations way either.  I mean, how many people want it in the press that University X is bringing sexual offenders to campus, paying them a bunch of money, and training young men about alcohol and sexual assault.   

 

 

 

Jessica Heskin, M.A.

Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services

California State University, Sacramento

The Well

6000 J Street

Sacramento, CA  95819-6045

(916) 278-3799

 

From: Linda Abbott [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 8:32 AM
To:
Subject: Convicted Rapist as Campus Speaker

 

Dear SAPC members,

 

Our Athletics department recently invited a speaker to our campus named Adam Ritz. Ritz is a convicted rapist who is now speaking at colleges about alcohol awareness. I am curious to know if any of you have heard him and I’d like to speak to you if you have. As a survivor, I was very uncomfortable with his talk and I had a strong emotional reaction. I am very open to hearing opinions of others who have heard him or even those who have some thoughts about perpetrators as guest lecturers in general.

 

Thanks so much.

 

Linda Abbott                                                     

Violence Prevention Coordinator

The University of Mississippi

208 Odom Hall, P.O. Box 1848

University, MS 38677-1848

Phone: (662) 915-1059

Fax: (662) 915-1727

http://violenceprevention.olemiss.edu/

 

"A GREEN DOT is any behavior, choice, word, or attitude that counters or displaces a red-dot of violence. What will your GREEN DOT be?"