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| UVA asks police to investigate rape claims published in Rolling Stone | UVA asks police to investigate rape claims published in Rolling Stone |
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| The University of Virginia has asked police to investigate incidents described in a magazine article describing the school’s “a culture of rape” – while also defending the school’s handling of sexual assault claims. | The University of Virginia has asked police to investigate incidents described in a magazine article describing the school’s “a culture of rape” – while also defending the school’s handling of sexual assault claims. |
| A Rolling Stone article by Sabrina Rubin Erdely, published on Wednesday, tells the story of a UVA student identified as “Jackie”. Erdely describes in graphic detail Jackie’s account of a rape by seven men at a fraternity party during her freshman year, followed by her struggles to find support in the school administration or on campus. | A Rolling Stone article by Sabrina Rubin Erdely, published on Wednesday, tells the story of a UVA student identified as “Jackie”. Erdely describes in graphic detail Jackie’s account of a rape by seven men at a fraternity party during her freshman year, followed by her struggles to find support in the school administration or on campus. |
| University president Teresa Sullivan released a statement in which she says police in Charlottesville, where the school is located, have been asked to formally investigate the claims, adding “the university will cooperate fully with the investigation” of what Rolling Stone reports happened in September 2012. | University president Teresa Sullivan released a statement in which she says police in Charlottesville, where the school is located, have been asked to formally investigate the claims, adding “the university will cooperate fully with the investigation” of what Rolling Stone reports happened in September 2012. |
| But Sullivan also defended UVA’s response over the years, saying that the article contained “many details that were not previously disclosed to university officials” and that “the university takes seriously the issue of sexual misconduct”. | But Sullivan also defended UVA’s response over the years, saying that the article contained “many details that were not previously disclosed to university officials” and that “the university takes seriously the issue of sexual misconduct”. |
| “We have recently adopted several new initiatives and policies aimed at fostering a culture of reporting and raising awareness,” Sullivan said in the statement, using the “HoosGotYourBack initiative” as an example. “We want our students to feel comfortable coming forward with information … I want to underscore our commitment to marshaling all available resources to assist our students who confront issues related to sexual misconduct.” | “We have recently adopted several new initiatives and policies aimed at fostering a culture of reporting and raising awareness,” Sullivan said in the statement, using the “HoosGotYourBack initiative” as an example. “We want our students to feel comfortable coming forward with information … I want to underscore our commitment to marshaling all available resources to assist our students who confront issues related to sexual misconduct.” |
| Erdely also recounts the allegations of several other women at UVA, describing how students and administrators foster a culture that elevates prestige and partying, and chastises those who speak out against that culture. Erdely says the university was “unenthused” by her inquiries; Sullivan responded by saying privacy laws prevent the university from divulging much information about sexual assault claims. According to Erdely, of the 38 students who reported sexual assault to a UVA dean only nine wrote “complaints”. | |
| “Rapes are kept quiet, both by students – who brush off sexual assaults as regrettable but inevitable casualties of their cherished party culture – and by an administration that critics say is less concerned with protecting students than it is with protecting its own reputation,” Erdely wrote. | “Rapes are kept quiet, both by students – who brush off sexual assaults as regrettable but inevitable casualties of their cherished party culture – and by an administration that critics say is less concerned with protecting students than it is with protecting its own reputation,” Erdely wrote. |
| The federal government is investigating UVA for Title IX violations, including the mishandling of sexual assault allegations. Eighty-six schools, including Princeton, Swarthmore College and Arizona State University, are also under investigation. | The federal government is investigating UVA for Title IX violations, including the mishandling of sexual assault allegations. Eighty-six schools, including Princeton, Swarthmore College and Arizona State University, are also under investigation. |
| Charlottesville police spokesman Steve Upman told the Richmond Times Dispatch that the department has begun preliminary investigation. On Wednesday UVA also released a proposal for public comment of a revised sexual misconduct policy. | Charlottesville police spokesman Steve Upman told the Richmond Times Dispatch that the department has begun preliminary investigation. On Wednesday UVA also released a proposal for public comment of a revised sexual misconduct policy. |