Sexual assault and its aftermath at BYU

[Anonymous]

This one is good. I am glad this comes from BYU. I think it betters the chance of change. https://theshrinkandhisthoughts.wordpress.com/2016/05/19/look-down-javert-youre-standing-in-your-grave-byus-honor-code-dilemma-2/

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[Anonymous]

LookingHard wrote:

I can’t seem to get the trib article on my phone, but I thought the trib said that they had asked but no answer from the church.

You’re right. I guess they just wanted more than two hours, but I doubt that’s standard in the newspaper business.

[Anonymous]

nibbler wrote:

Quote:

For several weeks, the Salt Lake Tribune has aggressively reported on the incidence of alleged sexual assaults at Brigham Young University. In one report on May 6, 2016, the newspaper not only implied that a “rape culture” exists at BYU but that the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints materially contributed to that culture. Despite making such extraordinary claims, Tribune reporters did not approach the Church for comment. Following its publication, a Public Affairs representative from the Church contacted the newspaper and asked why the Church had not been given an opportunity to comment on such a major story. One of the two writers acknowledged the “lapse in judgment,” and said she felt that the inclusion of a reference to the Church’s leadership handbook was sufficient. Note to Tribune editors: it wasn’t.

That last sentence doesn’t feel very professional to me. I expect more from my church and to be honest I’d even expect more coming from a secular corporation. It comes across like they are trying to win an argument with the Tribune. Frankly the church should be far more concerned over the culture at BYU than it should be over whether the media is covering the story in a way that is agreeable to them.

At least they didn’t use any #hashtags in this awkward effort. Not saying I could write perfect PR prose.

I’m hoping this is the last from an outgoing staff and that Bro. Turley will open a new chapter.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that article LookingHard. It was great and he brought up some really good points. I am really concerned about how much the “rules” take precedence over people. This BYU mess is reinforcing that for me. I hope that the Pharisaical nature of the church starts improving because it is driving people away.

[Anonymous]

Frankly, I don’t think consulting the Church Newsroom would have materially changed the story. Church PR can only speak about LDS doctrine, and this is a question of BYU culture, and I think the astute Tribune reader can tell the difference between the two.

The newsroom response is just petulant. The Church is not the victim; rape victims are the victim.

[Anonymous]

LookingHard wrote:

This one is good. I am glad this comes from BYU. I think it betters the chance of change. https://theshrinkandhisthoughts.wordpress.com/2016/05/19/look-down-javert-youre-standing-in-your-grave-byus-honor-code-dilemma-2/

I really enjoyed this, and can agree with so much because I do think the Honor Code is backfiring. But he got me thinking about how I want Jauvert to punish those who offend me – no “context” – even as I want Valjean mercy for myself. There are a lot of things to work out in the middle, but I think we’re still miles away from there in this Title IX/HC office discussion.

People I’ve talked with lately, very loyal members and BYU graduates, think there’s something amiss. They’re anxious for BYU to do the right thing. This story dredges up their own experiences (all less serious than assault) with the HC people, and they’re among the worst memories of their time in Provo.

[Anonymous]

LookingHard wrote:

This one is good. I am glad this comes from BYU. I think it betters the chance of change. https://theshrinkandhisthoughts.wordpress.com/2016/05/19/look-down-javert-youre-standing-in-your-grave-byus-honor-code-dilemma-2/

I also found this blog post to be great.

To the newsroom response:

To be fair I am not sure that using the term “rape culture” to apply to the church or BYU is very helpful. Similar to the term “cult”, it is an extremely provocative and emotionally loaded term. Rather than use that term I would prefer to use the term “victim blaming” which is a part of what is meant by “rape culture” but is much more specific and devoid of most of the emotional reaction baggage. I feel that we can start a productive conversation with leadership about victim blaming. I do not fell that we can have a productive conversation about rape culture.

Quote:

Media have published deeply personal stories of victims of sexual assault who feel they have been treated poorly when reporting their assault. They are painful to read, but we do not believe they represent the ideals BYU or Church leaders follow when responding to victims.

They are painful to read BUT they do not represent the ideals we follow? What does that mean? Did BYU or Church leaders in these instances act incorrectly by not following our “ideals”? If so how did they err?

Quote:

Let us be perfectly clear: There is no tolerance for sexual assault at BYU or in the Church. Assault of any kind is a serious criminal offense, and we support its reporting, investigation and prosecution to the full extent of the law. Victims of assault or recipients of unwelcome sexual attention should be treated with sensitivity, compassion and respect and should feel that those to whom they disclose the assault are committed to helping them deal with the trauma they have experienced.

Emphasis mine

Ok, so BYU and church leaders failed to follow LDS ideals by not treating these individuals with sensitivity, compassion, and respect or helping them to feel that the leaders were committed to help them through the trauma. Are these rouge individuals – thumbing their noses at LDS principles and “ideals”?

Quote:

In instances where there may have been conflict between meeting Honor Code and Title IX priorities, BYU is taking significant steps, including forming an advisory council to explore these circumstances and make recommendations for change, as needed.

Emphasis mine

Ah-hah, Some of these BYU employees and church leaders may have been not following our “ideals” as a result of placing greater emphasis on BYU policy than federal non-discrimination law. These good people may not have been outliers at all. Perhaps their less than “ideal” approach to dealing with individuals reporting sexual assault was more normal than not and was seen by them as upholding BYU policy and standards.

Is this what an apology looks like??? I agree that this press release seems to point the finger at the media.

I am glad that BYU is making “significant steps…for change, as needed.” However, I wonder if these significant steps for change would be being made if it were not for the press coverage that the Newsroom seems to want to vilify.

P.S. I understand that some church PR representatives might be upset that two articles went to print without a church spokesman statement. I believe that this disappointment would be better resolved through back channel discussions between the Tribune and the Mormon Newsroom.

[Anonymous]

And the trib has yet another article on it http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3914900-155/editorial-how-byu-should-deal-with

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[Anonymous]

LookingHard wrote:

And the trib has yet another article on it http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3914900-155/editorial-how-byu-should-deal-with

Quote:

The current situation is a striking opportunity for the LDS Church, along with its flagship institution of higher learning, to set a true moral example for the world. It won’t have to deny any of its principles. It will only have to uphold them with more compassion shown to those who have already been violated.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I am going overboard and posting too much on this one topic. I will stop reporting every one unless it has something dramatic. One last good one from BCC https://bycommonconsent.com/2016/05/22/rape-culture-is-real-lets-lose-the-scare-quotes/” class=”bbcode_url”>https://bycommonconsent.com/2016/05/22/rape-culture-is-real-lets-lose-the-scare-quotes/

I share his optimism he expresses about women’s voices being significant on the review board setup to look at this.

[Anonymous]

LookingHard – don’t stop posting stuff. I am too busy to follow all the branches of stories, bringing them here helps me.

On this topic I watched my BYU graduate daughter shut down my mom on the topic of Political Correctness and not listening to both sides. My mom had been explaining how the liberal schools were shutting down opposing voices in students, etc. and so on. And that everyone had to toe the line in the student body. I hadn’t followed the story so I was just sitting there listening when my TBM daughter said, “My University never listens to opposing views.” The conversation ended.

To me her vocalization adds more validity to the actual victims of crimes. If girls who were never raped or taken advantage of know the strain, I can’t believe what victims are actually experiencing.

[Anonymous]

OK. Others can tell me to stop if they feel I should.

Here is one that is mixed, of a rape at BYU and she was believed and supported, but it was the classic “stranger in a dark place with a knife pulled”. But in the end she asks for the same wonderful support she received for those that have violated some honor code rules and then raped. She also asks that BYU apologize.

http://www.the-exponent.com/sexual-assault-at-byu-my-own-story/” class=”bbcode_url”>http://www.the-exponent.com/sexual-assault-at-byu-my-own-story/

[Anonymous]

Ann wrote:

nibbler wrote:

Quote:

For several weeks, the Salt Lake Tribune has aggressively reported on the incidence of alleged sexual assaults at Brigham Young University. In one report on May 6, 2016, the newspaper not only implied that a “rape culture” exists at BYU but that the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints materially contributed to that culture. Despite making such extraordinary claims, Tribune reporters did not approach the Church for comment. Following its publication, a Public Affairs representative from the Church contacted the newspaper and asked why the Church had not been given an opportunity to comment on such a major story. One of the two writers acknowledged the “lapse in judgment,” and said she felt that the inclusion of a reference to the Church’s leadership handbook was sufficient. Note to Tribune editors: it wasn’t.

That last sentence doesn’t feel very professional to me. I expect more from my church and to be honest I’d even expect more coming from a secular corporation. It comes across like they are trying to win an argument with the Tribune. Frankly the church should be far more concerned over the culture at BYU than it should be over whether the media is covering the story in a way that is agreeable to them.

At least they didn’t use any #hashtags in this awkward effort. Not saying I could write perfect PR prose.

I’m hoping this is the last from an outgoing staff and that Bro. Turley will open a new chapter.

I also thought the piece would have been much better and much more professional without attacking the Trib. They knew the Trib was publishing stories and could have commented directly if they really wanted. The Trib’s stance seems to be that they did initially try to get comment from the church and were brushed off, so they gave up subsequent attempts – not unreasonable. And, seriously, of the Trib did go to church PR and ask if there was a rape culture at BYU, what is PR gong to answer? They’d likely say what they say in the press release – “Of course not you silly people, find something else to write about.” Nobody wins an argument with the press.

I was actually wondering whether this was the last of the old regime at PR or the first of the new regime.

[Anonymous]

http://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-accuses-tribune-for-gotcha-journalism-in-reporting-byu-rapes-paper-denies-it

The Trib responds to church accusations of “gotcha journalism.” They say that they had given a list of questions to BYU administration on 5/18/16 (24 hours before publishing the second story). BYU did not respond with any answers. BYU has still not provided any answers to these questions.

LookingHard wrote:

I feel like I am going overboard and posting too much on this one topic. I will stop reporting every one unless it has something dramatic. One last good one from BCC https://bycommonconsent.com/2016/05/22/rape-culture-is-real-lets-lose-the-scare-quotes/” class=”bbcode_url”>https://bycommonconsent.com/2016/05/22/rape-culture-is-real-lets-lose-the-scare-quotes/

I share his optimism he expresses about women’s voices being significant on the review board setup to look at this.

Again I just do not think we can make progress by using the term “rape culture.” If cultural elements that reduce the frequency of reporting rape is a hallmark of rape culture then likely the entire world has rape culture. I find subjects such as victim blaming much more productive while still covering the same topics.

[Anonymous]

Again the Church feels under attack. Not the rape victims.

Oh that liberal media. (sarcasm)

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