Yahoo7 News published a Reuters report that Baylor University in Texas paid more than $15.1 million to its former head football coach Art Briles after firing him in 2016 for failing to address students’ allegations that football players had committed rape and sexual assault. This, according to the headline, is a “sex scandal”.
The claims, which includes allegations by several women of gang rape by football players coached by Art Briles, now cover seven different Title IX lawsuits.
Rape is not sex. Sex occurs when there is consent from all parties involved. Rape is the opposite – it can only happen when someone involved does not consent. Sex and rape are not words that can be used interchangeably.
Multiple allegations of gang rape and toxic culture protecting the perpetrators of sexual violence is not a “scandal”. It is a litany of serious criminal allegations that require thorough investigation.
Mislabelling multiple allegations of gang rape and men in positions of power ignoring them as a “sex scandal” is not just abhorrent behaviour, it’s bad journalism.
FixedIt is an ongoing project to push back against the media’s constant erasure of violent men and blaming of innocent victims. If you would like to help fund it – even $5 a month makes a big difference – please consider becoming a Patron
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