As I belong to a fraternity, my editor asked me to write about the Rolling Stone/Sabrina Erdley/“Jackie” controversy from a Greek brother’s perspective. Where to begin?
On November 19, Rolling Stone published an article, in which an anonymous third-year woman (“Jackie”) claimed she’d been gang-raped by seven Phi Kappa Psi brothers two years ago. Then RS backtracked. The Washington Post talked to “Jackie” and concluded there were serious holes in the RS story. The accounts in the Washington Post and several other reputable publications made it apparent “Jackie’s” rape didn’t occur in the Phi Psi house and the perpetrator (“Drew” as reported in the RS story) was not a Phi Psi brother.
I’m not a woman, and I can’t even begin to imagine the horror “Jackie” endured — a horror so great that, as her roommate says, “Jackie’s” whole personality changed within several months.
And this is not the end of “Jackie’s” troubles: a week ago, an online troll released her name to the world and threatened more exposures. Her father has retained an attorney, which is problematical on another level as lawyers cost money — lots of money — and this ongoing tragedy could bankrupt her as well as her family. All of this is wrong.
And that’s before we talk about the much-maligned Phi Kappa Psi brothers. As I said, reports in the past few days exculpate the brothers: the house did not host a function the night the rape occurred, “Jackie” was found a mile from fraternity houses, and no Phi Psi brother fit the RS description. Yet, the lives of Phi Psi brothers have been turned upside down and quite possibly ruined by this RS story.
Imagine being a Phi Psi brother on November 19 when RS publishes its article. Imagine also that, starting that day, an online mob gathers. They want names. They want pictures. They want addresses. They want blood. Imagine no one wants to hear your side of the story. Imagine bricks and cinder blocks being thrown through Phi Psi house windows.
Then imagine RS backtracks twice — “there now appear to be discrepancies in Jackie's account.” (Which is still unfair to “Jackie”; RS should have added, “as told by our reporter.”) Finally, imagine the Washington Post, Slate, National Review Online, Huffington Post and other publications write endless articles, often contradicting each other but each agreeing RS’s account was inaccurate at best.
With different versions of this tragic story being debated in the press, I approach this assignment with some reluctance. Why? A woman associate editor for the UVA student paper wrote, “And it is becoming increasingly clear that the story that blew the lid off campus sexual assault has some major, major holes. Ultimately, though, from where I sit in Charlottesville, to let fact checking define the narrative would be a huge mistake.”
Without taking a poll, I am relatively certain that a number of UVA women agree with that sentiment. Of the 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students at UVA, over 11,000 are women. The associate editor cites statistics that 1 in 5 of these women will be assaulted while at school — at UVA, that would be 2,200 women. She further says, “Only 8 to 9 percent of sexual assault reports, at most, are later determined false.” Every woman I’ve talked to about this issue is comfortable with that percentage.
If, however, I’ve learned anything from the RS debacle, it is to point readers to where they may find contrary views. Dr. Eugene Kanin published results asserting 8 to 9 percent was an understatement. However, his claims are outliers and haven’t been reproduced in subsequent studies.
When RS released its statement claiming discrepancies in “Jackie's” account,” vitriol poured online. Thousands upon thousands of commenters formed two camps: those who believe that wherever there’s smoke there’s fire, and those who believe smoke is smoke. After lawyers bankrupt everybody, the facts of “Jackie’s” case will be made public, but these facts are beyond the scope of this article. Now, the debate begins on what to do next.
Fraternities, here and everywhere, are at the center of this discussion. Consequently, stereotypes of fraternities proliferate online. As Greeks, we must do our part to silence critics. This will be challenging. Two generations ago, our grandparents demonstrated in the streets for the right of 18 year olds to vote; they wanted input before being shipped to Southeast Asia. The 26th Amendment passed and they received the vote. Today, however, university administrators and politicians rarely consider those under 21 to be adults except to sign college loans (sometimes totaling $150,000) or to enlist in the military to be eligible for Montgomery GI Bill assistance to pay for college tuition.
The college scene needs student leaders, not administrators or politicians, to resolve the critical issue of female safety. At UVA, the Greek community comprises 30 percent of the undergrads. Within our membership are some of the most intelligent and gifted leaders on the Grounds (that is “campus” for non-UVA students). The Greek community must step up, act like adults, and accept responsibility.
In my opinion, we can begin with agreeing that one rape is one too many. This is self-evident — no one should ever be assaulted, for any reason, ever. To ensure this, brothers and sisters should be willing to assist any person who is trouble anywhere on the Grounds. It’s up to us. I have confidence in the leaders of our sororities and fraternities to propose solid recommendations to benefit Greek communities and our respective universities.
