Rape culture ... Another illustration

"James Madison University Punished Sexual Assault With 'Expulsion After Graduation'"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/18/james-madison-university-sexual-assault_n_5509163.html

James Madison University punished three fraternity members for sexually assaulting a female student and sharing their video of the attack by banning them from campus -- after they graduate.

The school found the men responsible for sexual assault and harassment in the spring break 2013 attack on Sarah Butters, and determined that they shared the video widely with others on the JMU campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The unusual "expulsion after graduation" sanction allowed two of the men to graduate on time in May. The third plans to remain on campus for his senior year in 2014-15.

Butters' complaint to federal officials about the school's handling of the attack has prompted an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. JMU is among four universities in Virginia and 63 nationwide to face federal scrutiny on sexual assault cases. The investigation, opened on June 4, will review whether JMU violated the gender equity law Title IX.

S. Daniel Carter, an advocate for sexual assault victims who is frequently involved in federal policy on campus safety, said he'd never heard of that kind of punishment.

<snip>

Butters and her sorority adviser spoke with an official in the school judicial affairs office, and was told there was no rush to press charges. Butters said she was later told the school could pursue punishment without her permission with the video evidence, so Butters provided a copy in April 2013.

<snip>

A judicial affairs representative told Butters it was rare for anyone to be expelled, according to documents from the adjudication process shared with The Huffington Post. The student handbook listed suspension as the harshest punishment for sexual assault.

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Bold emphasis mine.

It also appears Butters will withdraw from the university - her grades had slipped during the adjudication process, causing her to lose financial aid.


This is the reality of rape culture.