Things already sounded fishy in Steubenville, Ohio, where the alleged gang rape and kidnapping of an unconscious 16-year-old by two of the town's high-school football players has turned into a complex web of accusation, shock, and, well, Instagram photos. But conflicting reports over an already emotional case became that much more complex today when a WikiLeaks-style site dumped new information about team boosters, the town sheriff, and the alleged "Rape Crew" online — information rounded up, of course, by the anonymous hacking collective known as Anonymous.
In case you haven't been following the scandal, it rose to national prominence last month when The New York Times ran a lengthy report from Steubenville, on the August incident and its intersection of football, the law, and social media. Perhaps one quote, from one of Steubenville High's 19 football coaches, best summed up the controversy: "The rape was just an excuse, I think ...What else are you going to tell your parents when you come home drunk like that and after a night like that? She had to make up something. Now people are trying to blow up our football program because of it."
More at the sources.
source [2]
OP Notes: This is just absolutely disgusting. Chemical castration should be the penalty for things like this. And these people helping cover it up, I can't believe it. WARNING: The pics and videos at the sources aren't easy to get through. Here's a link if you'd like to reblog on tumblr
Or since its a power and violation thing, may just get offender to upgrade to using foreign objects, which may be a lot more physically damaging.
I literally had to clamp down on the urge to throw my laptop across the room. Jesus.
I really want to punch someone. Repeatedly.
A similar story is playing out at Notre Dame too. The victim in that case committed suicide.
I love football but honestly if we have to get rid of the sport to get rid of the disgusting misogynistic culture that springs up around it I wouldn't think twice.
Holy convoluted sentence, Batman!
That sounds like Knox Co. Football players can do whatever they want to whomever they want. Get passing greats for just being a football player and the whole town worships them as if they are the Almighty themselves.
Not only do the boys need to be punished, but this small town football culture needs to be addressed.
Absolutely. I am sick of seeing people like those boys get away with so much bullshit and crime. Fuck small town football.
Edit:
Okay, I had myself a good cry. Looking back this comment was a little unnecessary. That said, my misandry is a direct result of shit like this. My heart goes out to the girl and her mother... I hope that they'll be able to get some justice. Maybe they'll be able to move out of the town that betrayed them.
Edited at 2013-01-05 12:59 am (UTC)
http://www.facebook.com/OpRollRedRo
There's going to be a massive protest tomorrow. At least 1000 people are expected to show up. I hope to get to go.
What put a nice disrupt in the love of the boy's team was the girl's bowling team in 2003 winning state championship (which none of the boy's teams ever did). Suddenly girl's sports got a lot more attention and my town replaced Home of Miss America (year) with Girls Bowling State Champions 2003. If it could be replicated in every town, would be fantastic.
Edited at 2013-01-05 01:44 am (UTC)
You have to keep in mind this is a small football obsessed town, everyone knows everyone, the police are corrupt, and the mob has their hands in everything. Still. There are payoffs, threats, etc etc to keep things underwraps, people out of jail, get lighter sentences.... etc. It's a corrupt as fuck place and always has been. The news didn't report this story for months until protesters wouldn't shut up about it and forced their hand to report. The sheriff has run unopposed for 28 years except for like, one time. Everyone is in everyone's pockets. So, no, most of the officials aren't on her side - they'll do everything they can to end it as quickly and quietly as possible. Or they would've if people hadn't brought so much attention to it and brought their house of cards crashing down. It's such a different mentality here from most places... idek.
A lot of corrupt people, scared people, etc. It's harsh. But, there are also a lot of pissed off people who are doing what they can to get the news out there as much as possible and that's why it made national news.
I am just -- seething. I am angry and horrified and what the fuck is wrong with people and how can a fucking sport trump human decency and compassion. Fuck rape culture. Fuck men. Fuck everything. I am so fucking done.
That poor, poor girl. I hope she's getting a lot of support now that the story's getting this much press.
All that said, fuck rape culture. That's all I've got.