Rape Culture?

An unsubstantiated attack ad against Dartmouth

Sexual assault is a problem. It is disgusting and unacceptable. And yet UltraViolet’s Facebook ad campaign aims to paint Dartmouth as an non consensual orgy. According to Karin Roland, director of the women’s rights group UltraViolet, Dartmouth has “a culture and an administration that isn’t stopping” sexual assault.

Let’s be clear about one thing: Dartmouth has had sexual assault problem, but there is no rape culture here. Students do not condone sexual assault. Nobody here supports it. Stop aligning individual crimes with larger groups. Stop defacing an institution that produces people who go on and do great things for the world because of the actions of a twisted minority. Any accusation of sexual assault leads to expulsion for the alleged perpetrator. Parker Gilbert, who was found not guilty, still received strict punishment from the college. The person responsible for the “rape guide” was immediately kicked out the school. And I can say that as a student associated with many in the student body, that we are all repulsed by that person.

Dartmouth provides an 24/7 emergency contact hotline for sexual assault. Safe ride is available for those who don’t feel comfortable walking towards their destination. Counselors are constantly on call. Furthermore, Dartmouth is a wonderful school with so many opportunities. I would hate to see students miss that because of some misaligned agenda.

We all hate sexual assault. Stop accusing us of having a rape culture.