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Students post fliers listing names of alleged rapists, after being frustrated with University's lack of response to rapes. (atlasleft.org)

submitted by PoopAndSunshine

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[–]breannimal -5 ポイント-4 ポイント

Downvotes aside... all I'm saying is that it's predictable and frustrating to see the top comment in a potentially very important thread calling out the 'unjust' act of people who are trying to find ways to reclaim some sort of power in a situation where it seems they are being systematically silenced. The federal petition 23 students filed calling out Columbia's active victim silencing and ineffective punitive record for sexual assault perpetrators is predictably more effective than this list. But, the first point of conversation about this list should not be that the men on it are somehow victims. It's an act of desperation and boldness. It also seems the people on the list have been found 'responsible' for the crimes by the university.

[–]notsoinsaneguy 5 ポイント6 ポイント

The issue should be handled by the police then. Vigilante justice is never a good thing. I can empathize with a rape victim who would put up such a poster, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

[–]breannimal -3 ポイント-2 ポイント

Vigilante justice is never a good thing? What if it's the only thing left in your power? http://jezebel.com/5822649/why-a-rape-doesnt-get-prosecuted. I don't have the answers either - I'm just tired of seeing popular opinion on Reddit (who I know is filled with thinking/feeling good people) always turn to defend doodz at all costs.

[–]notsoinsaneguy 5 ポイント6 ポイント

It's not about defending men, it's that exacting justice outside the legal system leads to innocent people getting hurt. Honestly, in other parts of reddit you would definitely see people totally in favor of vigilante justice, particularly in the defense of men (the whole "I can hit a woman if she hits me" that shows up scarily often in the default subs), but I think here in TwoX most of us are level headed enough to realize that accepting this kind of behaviour is harmful in the long run. Sure, it might be warranted in a few cases, but just because a court of law is incapable of prosecuting a rape, doesn't mean an individual should be able to.

[–]breannimal -4 ポイント-3 ポイント

Yeah, I see the points you're- and everyone else - is making. I just can't bring myself to condemn or judge these students for publishing the list. It just seems like the only way they felt they had any power in a really horrible situation. The small chance that the accused are innocent is a terrible thought but not as bad, to me, as imagining the victims dealing with a total lack of recourse - forever. I also don't understand why people are so hung up on relying only on our formal policing systems. People everywhere at all times are responding to threats through community action that doesn't involve formalized/institutional structures. Overall I'm enjoying the discussion and the chance to challenge my own understanding - thanks.

[–]y_u_do_dis_2_me 3 ポイント4 ポイント

The small chance that the accused are innocent is a terrible thought but not as bad, to me, as imagining the victims dealing with a total lack of recourse - forever.

Our justice system would disagree. It is based around doing the best job possible to make sure that the innocent are not punished. It is very far from perfect, but it is a damn sight better than mob justice. If the system is not helping the victims of crimes, it needs to be fixed. Not thrown out and substituted with actions like those that happened in this story.

I also don't understand why people are so hung up on relying only on our formal policing systems.

As has been stated, we rely on formal policing systems because we seek justice. Vigilantism vastly increases the risks of punishing the wrong person. Remember when reddit found the Boston Bomber? If you truly do not see why this is such a serious matter, I hope you are never falsely accused of a crime. It can ruin a life, even over crimes much less serious than these.

I am glad that you found this thread as a way to broaden your understanding. But in the future you may consider thinking before broadly characterizing other people. As other have said, this is not about defending doodz. It is about standing up against things that are wrong. I find it likely that if the tables were turned, you would not appreciate people making assumptions about your motivations clouding your reason.

[–]breannimal -1 ポイント0 ポイント

Obviously the justice system is not working for these people. I will never condemn them for doing this. If I raped someone and my name was leaked by the victim I suppose I would indeed not appreciate it.