November 21, 2014
"It's an echo of what was happening ten years ago and we know much longer ago than that," said Courteney Stuart.
On November 11, 2004, Stuart published a story in what many used to know as The Hook, an article entitled "How UVa Turns Its Back on Rape."
Like the recent Rolling Stone article which has sparked a storm of controversy and reaction, Stuart's piece describes several women's stories of sexual assault.
The extensive article opens:
"UVa has a system to deal with rape among students. A group meets, takes testimony, and issues rulings- all in secret. This clandestine process, combined with what one victim brands a "slap on the wrist" for rapists, has left several victims wondering who the policy was designed to protect."
"But the Rolling Stone article that has come out this week, shows that while some things have changed at the university, there are still victims who are not reporting for whatever reason, or when they do report, are not getting justice," said Stuart, who currently an editor at Cville Weekly.
Annie Hylton, the focus of Stuart's article, clearly was not alone. Almost ten years later, Rolling Stone tells an all-too-familiar story, and this time her name is Jackie.
"But obviously it hasn't gone far enough because we are still hearing stories that are just the same and you see people in the comments section and it just seems very widespread and it just has not been addressed," said Stuart.
"The sense of outrage and the high profile nature of the Rolling Stone piece coming on the heels of these other tragedies we have had in this community at the University of Virginia with Hannah Graham and Morgan Harrington from a few years ago, it's like there were cracks in the facade and this was kind of like the knock-out blow," she said.
A blow and impact she believes needs to be strongly felt by the university in attempt to change the culture.
"Frankly what the alumni and current student body demand, I mean the voice of the alumni and speaking with their checkbook and the power that comes with it will shape the direction that this goes," Stuart said.
To read the article written by Courteney Stuart "How UVa Turns Its Back on Rape," you can click the following link: http://bit.ly/1vxd4Pn
Rolling Stone Article: http://rol.st/1uS5r4m
