We have all heard about the horrific crime in Richmond, Ca that happened over the weekend. A 15 year old high school student at a Homecoming Dance was gang raped for 2 and a half hours. At least 10 men/boys joined in, and another 10 or more watched, filmed, or encouraged it. No one called 911. No one reported anything at all. The question everyone is asking is why? Why would men watch this crime, participate in it or film it, but do nothing to stop it? There is no short answer to this question, but there are some answers. They are found in the theories of groupthink and in the socialization of males in our society. Let me try to explain two theories, quickly. In the 1970s a young woman was stabbed to death in a New York neighborhood. While she was being murdered, many people watched. They watched from their windows, and from safe distances. No one tried to stop it. After studying this situation, researchers theorized that when many people are watching a crime, they each think someone else will report it or do something about it. When only one or a very few witness a crime a person usually does come forward to help or to report it. As the number of people watching grows, the likelihood of intervention goes down.

The other explanation has to do with male socialization combined with "groupthink" and "fraternal cultures". There is much research and documentation to support the dangers of boys or men in groups. Boys and men, when in groups, will do things they would never conceive of alone. I could go into the theory and the research, but it would take far too long. For my purpose here, I want to define rape, and give a few facts.

What is the definition of rape? ANY SEXUAL ACT CHARACTERIZED BY LACK OF CONSENT, BE IT BY FORCE, THREAT OF FORCE, TRICKERY, COERCION, BRIBERY, OR PERPETRATED ON SOMEONE DRUNK OR UNCONSCIOUS. (Yes, that is correct: a person who is drunk or unconscious cannot give legal consent. Period.) Women age 24 and under suffer from the highest rates of rape. The Justice Department estimates that one in four women will experience rape or attempted rape during their college years, and that less than five percent of these rapes will be reported. Many of these rapes will take place within a fraternity house, or on a date.  Many of the men perpetrating these crimes will be fraternity men and/or athletes.  Those participating in fraternal cultures are more likely to rape.  Gang rapes are usually male "competitions" and centered on who is more manly, the victim is not seen as a "real" person. In an older study of college males, 51% said they would rape if they could be guaranteed they would not be punished for it. Another study of high school boys found that 50% believed it was within a boy's rights to force a girl to have sexual intercourse when "she gets him sexually excited" or "she says she's going to have sex then changes her mind". The majority of rapes on a college campus are perpetrated by fraternity members. Since male friendships revolve around camaraderie and competition many fraternities have sex contests. Pledging often has a theme of domination and includes nudity and alcohol. Pledging practices have included notch contests, like the Spur Posse in California, "pig contests" where the object is to have sex with the ugliest girl. Getting women drunk at frat parties is another common practice: gang rapes are more common in frat houses on college campuses than anywhere else on campus.

In a study of convicted rapists, a young man convicted of gang rape said: "We felt powerful; we were in control. I wanted sex, and there was peer pressure. She wasn't like a person, no personality, just domination on my part. Just to show I could do it--you know, macho."
(Scully and Marolla:p53).

Girls need to be vigilant. Don't go to parties alone, make sure you are on the buddy system, even when you go to use the restroom. Decide that you will leave together, and watch your alcohol intake. In addition, never take a drink from someone unless you have watched it from bottle or can to glass. Rohypnol, or "ruffies", can be slipped into a drink easily. I was a volunteer rape counselor at Parkland Hospital, and one night I was called in because a 16 year old girl had been gang raped by 9 boys after being given the drug. She felt safe with them, a few of the boys were in her math class at school. Always be careful, always know who is around you and what they are doing.
Just remember, girls have the right to say NO to sex. Read the definition again: ANY SEXUAL ACT CHARACTERIZED BY LACK OF CONSENT, BE IT BY FORCE, THREAT OF FORCE, TRICKERY, COERCION, BRIBERY, OR PERPETRATED ON SOMEONE DRUNK OR UNCONSCIOUS.
Be careful, be safe.