Student Newspaper: 'Beyond a reasonable doubt' standard for sexual assault is 'tantamount to victim-blaming'

PriscillaPresley · 2012-04-16T12:42:01+00:00

That's ridiculous. This school has a law program and it's teaching students this bullshit?

Maybe you switch someone's class without knowing beyond a reasonable doubt, but you don't expel them and let them fend for themselves while being labeled by other universities as a sex offender without being really fucking sure.

SpeakToTheSky · 2012-04-16T15:22:12+00:00

The Feminist definition of rape: When a woman points a finger and says "RAPE!"

DoctorHilarius · 2012-04-16T18:34:58+00:00

Rape is a heinous crime and I realize it can be difficult to prove, especially in cases where alcohol is involved or the person has a active sexual history. However, we can't simply allow our standards to drop. The standards must be upheld. Innocent until proven guilty is the cornerstone or at least should be the cornerstone of western legal system. We can't just abandon it when it comes to rape.

Despite all that, OP they said "in practice, however, such a high burden of proof can feel tantamount to victim-blaming", I feel the distinction is needed for objectivity's sake, we can't just start misquoting because we're dealing with a feminist (don't know what else to describe them as).

nanan00 · 2012-04-16T20:54:12+00:00

Simple solution, accuse author of rape.

lesean25 · 2012-04-16T22:59:53+00:00

modern feminism, mostly, is doing way more harm than good. if i hear anyone say "victim blaming" i instantly lose their respect.

jazzglands · 2012-04-16T14:41:04+00:00

US high school students retain poor understanding of legal system from lackluster civics class.

More at 11.

Haezeus · 2012-04-16T23:15:05+00:00

From A Man for All Seasons:

William Roper: So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law!

Sir Thomas More: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?

William Roper: Yes, I'd cut down every law in England to do that!

Sir Thomas More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man's laws, not God's! And if you cut them down, and you're just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!

stillSmotPoker1 · 2012-04-16T23:53:23+00:00

No the fuck it's not.

Messiah · 2012-04-17T00:33:15+00:00

tantamount to due process

DougDante · 2012-04-17T12:32:10+00:00

Ever hear of the "clear and convincing evidence" standard? Another false dichotomy.

Innominate8 · 2012-04-17T18:07:29+00:00

Someone please explain to me why a student run organization should be dealing in ANY way with sexual assault accusations.

PirateRobotNinjaofDe · 2012-04-16T20:27:49+00:00

Woah! Woah, hold on there! Are you telling me that people actually READ student newspapers?

bosh-head · 2012-04-16T22:48:49+00:00

"Beyond a reasonable doubt" is the standard that is used in criminal trials. It's not the standard that is used for civil trials. Instead, preponderance of evidence is used there as well.

So why should a University, for their own disciplinary proceedings, use the same standard as we use for criminal trials? Doesn't make sense to me.

Complaining about the lower burden of proof seems to be an overreaction. There still needs to be evidence of wrongdoing. The difference is, it only needs to be the amount of evidence that would convict you in a civil trial. Which actually seems more appropriate.

NiceGuysSTFU · 2012-04-16T20:44:52+00:00

Student newspaper? Victim blaming? Wonderful article I'm sure, as we've all come to expect from FWS/COTWA. I especially love it when the victim-blamers call others victim-blamers.

Title	Student Newspaper: 'Beyond a reasonable doubt' standard for sexual assault is 'tantamount to victim-blaming'
Author	PierceHarlan
Upvotes	127
Comments	50
Date	April 16, 2012 12:35 PM UTC (14 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/scai9/student_newspaper_beyond_a_reasonable_doubt/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/student-newspaper-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt.1023895 https://theredarchive.com/post/1023895

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