The problem is that rape is more prevalent than we'd like to admit. Survivors of rape and other forms of sexual assault are already reluctant to come forward because of the personal nature of the crime and because of the stigma they incur, especially in a community as small as ours, where no one is anonymous. The decision of the jury in the Patterson case to acquit Patterson sets a precedent that errs too far towards protection of future perpetrators of nonconsensual sex acts. The case also sends a worrisome message to our community about the kinds of behavior that are acceptable, and the kinds of claims that are validated.
It is worth noting that in Andrew Nguyen's article on the trial published in The Amherst Student on Nov. 8, Dean Lieber commented that he "thought it was a very strong case," and pointed to the standard of proof "beyond a reasonable doubt" in the criminal justice system as opposed to the college's civil standard of "a preponderance of the evidence." In the article, Nguyen stated that "the College's own proceedings" might not have arrived at the same "outcome" as the criminal court. It's been suggested that the lawyers were inefficient, that that jury did not have adequate background, that Patterson is a compelling performer and that there's a lurking culture of misogyny that discourages believing women when they tell stories of sexual assault.
Luckily, though, there is an organization of students on campus who have received intensive training to provide the campus with a confidential student resource for the survivors of sexual assault. We are the Peer Advocates of Sexual Respect, and we exist to provide a safe option for anyone who needs to talk about sexual relationships, from the traumatic to the romantic. We are a resource to the Amherst community not just for abusive, illegal activities but also for issues stemming from everyday relationship interactions. Our group provides a safe and confidential environment for questions, concerns and support.