| |
| Foster Hunt | The
Appalachian |
| Student actors and a panel of experts
discussed legal implications of rape Oct. 27 at
Legends during the annual "Sex and a Six Pack." |
The focus on this year’s “Sex and a Six Pack”
held in Legends Oct. 27 was largely the legal implications
of rape.
As in previous years, the student actors from “Risque
Business” performed a skit along with a panel of speakers
from different areas of expertise to explain laws, prevention
techniques and give advice to those who may be in a rape
situation.
Panel members included representatives from the Counseling
Center at Appalachian State Universty, the Appalachian Police
Chief, the Office of Judicial Affairs, the District Attorney’s
office, the Emergency section of Watauga Medical Center,
Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter and
a private practice attorney.
After the program, audience members addressed this panel
with a series of questions concerning rape situations.
“Many people do not understand the law and their
rights. The program benefits people most by helping them
to understand the law to protect them from being raped and
also being a rapist,” Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator
Suzette Patterson said.
Patterson will take the reins as coordinator of the program
next year.
For the past five years and this year, Drug and Alcohol counselor
Dale Kirkland has acted as coordinator for the program.
“The focus this year was much different than previous
years. All years past, the speakers’ main focus was
about the understanding of alcohol’s affects and the
legal factors involved. This year the focus was more on the
legal process after a rape has occurred,” Kirkland
said.
Patterson does not expect to make significant changes in
the program when she coordinates it next year.
“I think it is a great program designed to reach
out to students, and there was a great turn-out. I see no
need for changes,” Patterson said.
“I really enjoyed the program, the skit was funny
and the speakers were really informational. I learned a lot
about the legal process that I never knew before, and I really
have a clearer understanding of people’s rights,”
freshman Nan Ciampa said.
With the recent Kobe Bryant rape case, many are addressing
the tendency to “vilify the victim,” Patterson
said.
“We need to work on our attitudes toward rape
situations. Media has a lot to do with it,” Patterson
said. “As soon as the rape charge was filed, people
came out and said ... that it was her fault or that she was
lying. Studies have shown, and even the FBI has claimed,
that false reports for rape are at 2 percent, which is the
same as other crimes.”
“The only response I have to [the claim that many
tend to assume the victim is victimizing the rapist] is that
only 2 percent of rape charges are false, and really anyone
who would put themselves through that I would have to believe,”
Kirkley said.
Many concerns were brought up during “Sex and a Six
Pack” on Monday,
including some questions about rape kits. Rape kits are purchased
at the hospital emergency room, and they consist of collecting
evidence of a rape. La Raye Rudisill, Sexual Assault Nurse
Examiner from Watauga Medical Center reiterated the fact
that after a rape occurs, the best way to collect this evidence
efficiently is for the victim to immediately go to the emergency
room.
Another issue addressed during the program was that of the
extremely low percentages of rapes reported, and the even
lower number of prosecutions.
Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Warner, who spoke at the program,
said: “many students thought it was a rape, but many
didn’t know or weren’t sure.”
With different audience questions addressed each year, Kirkley
said the themes change every year. Addressing the ever-growing
problem of rape on college campuses, “Sex and a Six
Pack” consistently provides easy access for students
to get information on how to be safe.
|
