The first mock trial that we did in class raised several issues about violence and the safety of women on college campuses. Does no mean no? What is consent? How should schools and students respond to these issues?
Tragically (yet necessarily) these issues have been in the news several times over the last few years. The University of Notre Dame has had to respond to allegations that it failed to act when sexual assault was reported against two of its football players (Read the story here). Women continue to come forward to describe the trauma that occurs when assaulted by someone they know. In this story, for example, a woman who graduated from Princeton recounts the memories of her assault that were brought up after a recent performance by an a cappella group ironically at a conference celebrating women's achievments. Additionally, last spring, after a video went viral that showed a fraternity at Yale University parading their pledges around campus while chanting "No means yes...", the federal government stepped in to act (Read the story here).
So, what do you think? About the David Jones case? The issues raised? The articles above?
