[Content Note for linked story: Sexual violence, including descriptions of primary violations and secondary traumas; victim-blaming; slut-shaming; abundant rape culture narrative and behaviors.]
There is this story in the New York Times about a teenage girl who was exploited and sexually assaulted by members of a high school football team, who dragged her unconscious body to multiple parties where multiple people saw her being assaulted, took pictures of her, and failed to intervene in any way.
The community then, naturally, rallied around the "decent young men" who did that to her. Not everyone. But enough. Their coach was willing to testify on their behalf, about what good boys they are.
The victim's mother is quoted in the piece: "What those boys did was disgusting, disgusting, and for people to stand up for them, that's disgusting, too."
Yes.
I've gotten a bunch of emails about this story, so here is a thread to discuss it. I can't say anything that I haven't already said in every conceivable way literally hundreds of time before.
I am heartbroken. I am angry. And I am all in.
Shakesville is run as a safe space. First-time commenters: Please read Shakesville's Commenting Policy and Feminism 101 Section before commenting. We also do lots of in-thread moderation, so we ask that everyone read the entirety of any thread before commenting, to ensure compliance with any in-thread moderation. Thank you.
blog comments powered by Disqus