Fraternity Signs Promote Rape Culture, Elicit Outrage (trigger warnings!)

Fraternity Signs Promote Rape Culture, Elicit Outrage


Old Dominion University (ODU) in Virginia is receiving national attention for a fraternity’s vulgar and offensive signs that were on display as first-year students moved into their dorms.



The signs, which were hung on fraternity Sigma Nu and displayed derogatory messages for incoming female students- and their mothers- have since been removed, and the University has promised disciplinary action. They read “Rowdy and fun/ Hope your baby girl is ready for a good time,” “Freshman daughter drop off,” with an arrow pointing to Sigma Nu’s front door, and finally, “Go ahead and drop off mom too.”

The University and national fraternity representatives were quick to respond. “This incident will be reviewed immediately by those on campus empowered to do so. Any student found to have violated the code of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action,” a statement from ODU President John Broderick read. The Sigma Nu national fraternity has already suspended the ODU Sigma Nu chapter, and ODU student government released a statement saying the incident “does not reflect the University’s commitment to the prevention of Sexual Assault and Dating Violence. Not only do these actions taken by a few individuals undermine the countless efforts at Old Dominion University to prevent sexual assault, they are also unwelcoming, offensive, and unacceptable.”

Signs like these undoubtedly feed into what is known as “rape culture.” Rape culture is a complex set of beliefs that create an environment in which sexual violence is prevalent, normalized, and sometimes encouraged. It is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language- like calling a woman entering college “baby girl”- objectification of bodies, and glamorization of violence, usually against women. Behaviors associated with rape culture include victim-blaming, sexual objectification, trivializing rape, denial of widespread rape, or refusing to acknowledge the harm of sexual assault.

A further break-down of the messaging of these Sigma Nu signs also shows a concerning notion of consent. “A good time” is a clear reference to sexual activity, and “hope your baby girl is ready” implies that this activity is going to happen- regardless of whether she wants it or not.

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http://feminist.org/blog/index.php/2015/08/25/fraternity-signs-promote-rape-culture-elicit-outrage/