The Morning After
Debate about the Lewis & Clark episode flared anew in early January after Willamette Week published its cover story. The alleged victim agreed to be named and photographed for the article, and she graphically described the encounter, which she described as "gray rape." The story did not include Shaw-Fox's version of the events. Soon, the story was rocketing around the blogosphere. The celebrity sex blog Jezebel termed it "Blood-boiling-yet-fascinating college rape vigilante justice story time!"
As students return to classes this week from the holiday break, a fierce discussion continues on two Facebook groups that sprang up after the original site's creators shut it down. In one, started in November, "Students who refuse to shut the f--- up about sexual violence," 281 members discuss the sexual-assault issue, mostly praising the group for shining a spotlight on the subject.
A second group, called "Beth Slovic is a piece of s--- journalist," launched this month, critiques the Willamette Week reporter and includes several comments from people frustrated with what they called a sensational treatment that did more to damage Shaw-Fox's reputation than anything else.
Earlier this month, Shaw-Fox posted on this site through a roommate named Ricky Wax, as Wax told NEWSWEEK. In the posting, Shaw-Fox thanks the group's members for "looking and listening as individuals and not part of the mob. In the midst of random people sending me hate mail I can still maintain a positive attitude because I know that some people (and I hope a lot of people) make their own informed decisions ... we need more free thinkers in this conventionalized society."
© 2008
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Member Comments
Posted By: srickard99 @ 06/06/2008 1:10:12 PM
Comment: I am a male in my early 60's. Even in my college days I understood that a "no" at any time meant stop. There has been this sexist attitude by many men that once they start, they are unable to stop; that a woman is a "tease" or worse if she changes her mind. On the other hand, great damage can be done by reacting to rumor or innuendo by punishing remarks on social networking sites.
Posted By: Coradon @ 06/05/2008 10:02:03 PM
Comment: Yes, you are allowed to change your mind "midstream"
Yes, you can later tell someone you were raped and can expect them to help, BUT
You CANNOT jump onto a public forum such as Facebook and name your "rapist" while simultaneously showing no evidence, police report, rape kit or anything other than a "he said, she said".
The many similiar incidents that happen each day and the subsequent feeding frenzy that takes place by those who just pass along the accusations without getting any proof for themselves is alarming. Classic example of internet vigilantism and the damage it can cause.
Posted By: Coradon @ 06/05/2008 9:53:08 PM
Comment: b