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

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I debated weighing in on the topic of this listserv because, not being
university-based, I am somewhat of an outsider to your core functions. But
I did want to disagree with the substance of Wendy Murphy's two recent
posts. 

First, as drug-testing, I was worried by the implication in the post that
GHB is the primary drug to be tested in drug-facilitated rape cases. I
don't think the research bears that out and, as far as I understand it,
there cannot be a one-size-fits-all test simply because of the variety of
foreign substances that can be introduced into an unknowing victim. 

Second, I thought the discussion of rape kits was also misleading. First,
I don't think it was clear enough that no one is disputing the advisability
of rape-related medical examinations when that's an option and the victim's
choice -- there are potential medical consequences to rape. Second, I think
that forensic evidence can and often does take some burdens off victims,
and that seeking as much information as we can get lends them and us more
credibility. Yes, I agree that sometimes the data provided can be used
against victims. But I think that rather than avoid data, the challenge is
to create adjudicatory processes with victim-protection like rape-shield
laws built into it. 

I understand that my perspective as a sex-crimes prosecutor is different
than yours. But I learn from all of you all the time, and hope that the
reverse is true as well.

Alice Vachss