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Crime Victim Services (CVS) would like to respond to the incident that occurred in Steubenville by presenting information about rape and what is being done on a local level that will help keep our children safe from similar incidences that can occur. 

Based on information that released we do not know when the rape took place.  However, from released pictures we can tell that the minor victim is unconscious.  Incapacitated rape is used to describe drug or alcohol facilitated rape as well as when the victim is either unconscious or too impaired for any reason to know what is happening or give consent. 

Contrary to what people may believe, rape is not about sex, it is about power and control.  In 2012 the FBI broaden the definition of rape to be more inclusive.  Their new definition includes “penetration, no matter how slight, without consent of the victim”.   

Apparent from the pictures, this girl having lost a state of awareness was not able to give consent.  The line of consent can be ever changing.  If the parties involved starting out by giving full consent, the victim has at any point in time the full right to revoke consent.  Anytime drugs or alcohol are involved that line becomes even more blurred.    

According to a 2012 report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 women reported experiencing some form of rape at some time in their lives.  The most shocking statistic is that this margin has remained the same since roughly 1986. 

The fact that these numbers have remained unchanged for 27 years plays on the myths that surround the notions we as a society have about sexual violence.  Recently, social media sites have had postings circulated about ways to protect yourself from rape.  Tips include conservative hair and clothes, and other meaningless points. 

The truth is that in an overwhelming majority of rapes the victim knows her attacker.  We have to leave the idea that rapes occur from a stranger jumping out from behind trees.  Another notion that we have to leave behind is that rape occurs only to women and incarcerated men.  Sexual assaults happen to men and women of all classes and social statuses.     

The most shocking event is not that the Steubenville rape took place but, that this assault took place over three different house parties.  During a twelve minute video a college student goes on about the rape, and how far gone the victim is.  A male student is in the background saying, “not cool bro”.  Kudos to him for standing up but, couldn’t he have done more?  Perhaps a call to law enforcement, could have been helpful?  Yet, how many more kids were at these parties and just passively watched these numerous assaults take place?

Through funding from the Ohio Department of Health, CVS has implemented programs in Lima City Schools and Bluffton High School to talk about sexual assault and teen dating violence prevention. 

The program entitled Teens Learning to Choose (TLC) Prevention, aims to reduce incidences in both sexual assault and teen dating violence through evidence based education, peer to peer education, and whole school awareness campaigns.  Topics that will be hit the hardest are lines of consent and the bystander effect.  Each of these are topics that seemed to be missed by those involved in the Steubenville rape. 

In addition teens in the program will receive information on drug and alcohol prevention, and how use of substances can increase harm for sexual violence.  We understand that most men do not commit rape, and are not comfortable with language, or acts that put women at a disadvantage. 

Boys in the group, will have a chance to lend their voices to raise awareness, and combat against the myth that “boys will be boys”, and thus propel the rape culture.   Through strengthening our teens’ response to these issues, we empower our youth to take a stand against acts of sexual violence and intimate partner violence.

About Crime Victim Services

The mission of Crime Victim Services is to help victims prevail over the trauma of their victimization by assisting and advocating for safety, healing, justice, and restitution.    Since 1981 CVS has recognized that crime goes beyond a violation of the law.  Services include court advocacy, counseling, victim ministry, and court appointed special advocates for children.  CVS has primarily been a victim oriented organization. 

However, thanks to funding from the Ohio Department of Health, in 2012 CVS widen their programs to include sexual assault and teen dating violence prevention.  Alls services provided are free of charge.

Aryn Banks
Prevention Educator
419-222-8666 (office)
419-860-3366 (cell)
[email protected]