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Blog and Media Roundup - Saturday, December 12, 2015; News Roundup
Topic Started: Dec 12 2015, 04:34 AM (113 Views)
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http://www.cotwa.info/2015/12/three-false-rapes-reported-by-media.html

Friday, December 11, 2015
Three false rapes reported by media yesterday
Three false rape reports showed up in news articles within the last 24 hours. Two occurred in the United States: one in Greeneville, one in Bristol. And, one rape was falsely reported in the UK.

http://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/deputies-say-woman-filed-false-rape-report/article_d832991c-8ec7-5035-87eb-ceb839261032.html

http://www.centralctcommunications.com/bristolpress/article_488d347a-9f86-11e5-a78d-0ff60fe0eac9.html

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/barnsley-woman-punished-for-making-false-rape-claim-1-7618605

The false report of rape in Bristol is interesting. A man allegedly paid a woman between $100 and $150 to falsely accused his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend of rape. Thankfully, the "victim" broke down and the cops figured it out before the intended victim of the false allegation was arrested. I wonder if these facts would be enough to convince the Indiana Daily Student that the recantation was not coerced by the cops, like they could not determine in this case. She has pleaded not guilty of the crime and is presumed innocent.

And, if the man who allegedly paid the woman to make a false allegation is found guilty, then he should be sentenced to confinement and required to carry around a ficus tree to replenish the oxygen he is wasting.
Posted by barney greenwald at 11:03 AM Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest
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http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/politics/bill-co-authored-by-kaine-will-fund-k--education/article_a70aad03-fe65-544e-924c-0e61aa99cf80.html

Bill co-authored by Kaine will fund K-12 education on safe relationships

By Chris Suarez | Posted: Friday, December 11, 2015 8:55 pm

Provisions of U.S. Sen. Timothy M. Kaine’s Teach Safe Relationships Act were signed into law this week as a rider on the Every Student Succeeds Act, making public funds available for elementary and secondary school instruction about sexual assault and safe relationships.

Packaged within the bill that replaces the No Child Left Behind Act, the provisions open Title IV funds for grants that encourage instruction and training on safe relationship behavior among teenagers and young adults. The former Virginia governor’s bill was first introduced in February with Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.

“I believe it will help prevent sexual assault, not just on college campuses, but for anybody in the 16 to 24 age range, who are most vulnerable,” Kaine said.

Kaine said he met with University of Virginia students after Rolling Stone published a 9,000-word article about sexual assaults at universities across the country, primarily using UVa as an example of “rape culture” that exists on college campuses.

Although the story was later discredited by authorities and a Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism report, Kaine said Wednesday that many of the story’s “statistics were correct.”

Earlier this year, Kaine said the Justice Department estimated 290,000 Americans each year are victims of rape or sexual assault. Advocates suggest the number of victimizations is higher because many incidents go unreported.

According to the FBI, 116,645 rapes were reported to police in 2014. The Bureau of Justice Statistics in August said the rate of intimate partner violence — which includes crimes committed by current or former spouses, boyfriends or girlfriends — was 2.4 per 1,000 people in 2014.

Last December, Kaine met with about 30 members of One Less, an all-female UVa student group dedicated to sexual assault prevention, shortly after Rolling Stone published its story. Kaine said the meeting was private and excluded media and university administrators and faculty.

“These students didn't all agree with each other about various points, but the goal was to get a sense from them about what we in Congress could do that would be helpful and what were things we might want to do that would make us feel good but wouldn't be helpful,” Kaine said.

“Many great ideas came out of that discussion, but there was one in particular that grabbed my attention,” he said, alluding to what became the basis for the bill.

Even though brief announcements regarding public safety — including sexual assault and harassment — are given to first-year students during orientation, advocates who met with Kaine last year said those lessons often get buried in the excitement and overwhelming amount of information that’s disseminated at the start of the academic year to newly arrived students.

This past semester, all UVa students were required to complete two new online training modules about sexual assault and alcohol abuse. According to UVa, the two-part “Not on Our Grounds: Sexual Assault Education Module” fulfills federal requirements for colleges and universities. The module includes “key definitions, statistics and suggested strategies for bystander intervention.”

“It is important to provide education early on because these are issues that can affect students before they even enter college,” said Clare Driggs, a member of One Less.

“Hearing the message before college will help students be prepared when they enter the new environment and might give them an opportunity to intervene or offer support to survivors even before college,” Driggs said. “We are excited to see the issue being addressed on a national level, and we feel honored to have gotten the opportunity to talk to Sen. Kaine about it.”

Driggs said that both One Less and One in Four, an all-male sexual assault prevention student organization, have been meeting with first-year students in their dorms to create a “comfortable peer-to-peer environment to foster discussion on the difficult topics and establish norms” about appropriate relationship behavior.

Earlier this year, the Teach Safe Relationships Act received endorsements from a number of advocacy groups, including the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.

The Sexual Assault Resource Agency, a Charlottesville-based education and advocacy group that is accredited by the alliance, applauded the passage of the provisions from Kaine’s bill.

“A lot of work is being done on college campuses to lessen the amount of sexual violence. Unfortunately, by that time in a young adult’s life, their values and beliefs related to sexual violence may already be solidified,” said Rebecca Weybright, executive director for SARA.

Serving Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Nelson, Louisa, Fluvanna and Greene, SARA says it reaches approximately 550 survivors and 1,100 students each year through its advocacy programs and support services.

“Expanding this work to students in K-12 provides the opportunity to talk with children — with age-appropriate topics and language — about protective factors, consent, identifying trusted people, the impact of gender norms and more,” Weybright said. “This education gives us a chance to send young people forward with better skills for identifying inappropriate behavior and knowing what to do when they see this.”

Other provisions that Kaine authored in the Every Student Succeeds Act are expected to strengthen career and technical education and preschool programs in schools nationwide.

According to Kaine’s press office, the bill adds career and technical education as a core academic subject and allows states to apply for a grant to develop such education with academic studies and support professional development for teachers of such programs.

The bill also authorizes the Preschool Development Grant, which states can use to bolster early childhood programs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will administer the program in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education.
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http://thetigernews.com/tucker-hipps-transparency-act-proposed-bill-would-affect-greek-life-at-clemson/


Tucker Hipps Transparency Act: Proposed bill would affect Greek Life at Clemson

December 12, 2015
News

Story By Justin Lee Campbell, News Editor

A proposed bill entitled the Tucker Hipps Transparency Act was filed on Thursday, Dec. 3 by state Rep. Joshua A. Putnam. Under section H. 4521 of the bill, “public institutions of higher learning shall maintain reports of investigations and related information of members of fraternities, sororities, and other social organizations.” Starting in the 2016-17 academic year, South Carolina public universities would have to document inquiries into Greek student misconduct and provide public access to the reports upon request and online.

Putnam, a Piedmont Republican, stated that the purpose of the legislation is to “improve safety for college students” by supplying “every tool for students and parents to make wise decisions,” according to the Anderson Independent Mail. In the preamble of the proposed bill, Greek organizations are specifically addressed. The bill states that schools should provide “reports to students and their parents before the students may begin the formal process of joining a fraternity or sorority.”

Shannon Kay, Clemson’s undergraduate student government president, expressed uncertainty about the bill. “While I believe the database comes from good intentions, I am not sure that I understand the value of distinguishing members of Greek organizations from members of other campus organizations or from all students in general,” said Kay.

Though the merits of distinguishing Greek organizations from other students is a matter of debate, statistics show differences between participants in Greek life and other student organizations. One in Four, Inc. is a non-profit organization that seeks to prevent sexual assault by offering presentations, trainings and technical assistance based on research and theory. According to One in Four, “fraternity men are three times more likely to commit sexual assault than other college men.” Additionally, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that students living in fraternities and sororities consume alcohol at higher rates than other students.

Kay’s response to these statistics was that the increased prevalence of certain issues in Greek organizations “does not mean that they are not issues in other organizations on campus.” When asked if she was aware of other organizations and/or clubs on campus experiencing these issues, Kay did not provide any examples. Instead, Kay reiterated that sexual assault and alcohol consumption are not specific to Greek life.

The Independent Mail indicated that the bill is Putnam’s response to the death of Tucker Hipps, a former Clemson student. Putnam said that he met with Hipps’ parents before proposing the legislation.

On Sept. 22, 2014, Hipps’ body was found in Lake Hartwell after allegedly falling off a S.C. 93 bridge during an early morning run with three members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and 26 pledges. Although no one has been criminally charged in Hipps’ death, Pickens Co. Court of Records shows pending wrongful death and personal injury suits filed by Hipps’ parents and estate against Sigma Phi Epsilon, three fraternity members and Clemson University.

The Hipps family has argued that their son’s death is the result of hazing. A summons amended on Dec. 8, 2015 states the plaintiffs’ allegation that the three fraternity members “forced Tucker to get on the narrow railing along the bridge and walk some distance of the bridge on top of the railing” after an alleged confrontation over the pledges’ failure to bring the requested breakfast. Clemson, who suspended Sigma Phi Epsilon until 2020, and the fraternity members deny responsibility for Hipps’ death.

In an email to Vice President of Student Affairs Almeda Jacks, The Tiger asked if Putnam’s proposal would help prevent incidents like Hipps’ death. Jacks responded that Student Affairs supports Putnam’s goal to provide the public with information about student organizations and has “provided substantial educational information on safety and hazing for both students and parents during orientation sessions and member-education programs.”

Jacks also cited Clemson’s public website that documents violations of the student organization conduct code by fraternities and sororities, which can be found in Important News on Campus Life’s Fraternity and Sorority Life page. “Any student organization at Clemson which has been reported to have been in violation—legally or from a student code of conduct —would be investigated by OCES and/or CUPD,” said Jacks.

The company Greeks for Greeks has created an app that could be a potential resource for schools and law enforcement for information gathering on Greek Life in general. GoGreekNow is an app that provides fraternity and sorority members with their own social media platform. Users across the country have access to photo and video streaming, Greek specific stories and editorials authored by Greeks. The app is exclusively for the Greek community. According to a news release, “Users have the ability to notify and remove any user who is not a part of their chapter and this self-regulating system has been proven to work.”

Co-Founder Nick Scott could not be reached for comment on the uses of this app by law enforcement. CUPD Chief Hendricks noted that social media is consistently employed by CUPD and local law enforcement in “missing persons, contact information, well-being checks, etc.”

The Tucker Hipps Transparency Act currently resides in the House Committee on Education and Public Works for review.
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Dec 12 2015, 06:56 AM
http://thetigernews.com/tucker-hipps-transparency-act-proposed-bill-would-affect-greek-life-at-clemson/


Tucker Hipps Transparency Act: Proposed bill would affect Greek Life at Clemson

December 12, 2015
News

Story By Justin Lee Campbell, News Editor

A proposed bill entitled the Tucker Hipps Transparency Act was filed on Thursday, Dec. 3 by state Rep. Joshua A. Putnam. Under section H. 4521 of the bill, “public institutions of higher learning shall maintain reports of investigations and related information of members of fraternities, sororities, and other social organizations.” Starting in the 2016-17 academic year, South Carolina public universities would have to document inquiries into Greek student misconduct and provide public access to the reports upon request and online.

Putnam, a Piedmont Republican, stated that the purpose of the legislation is to “improve safety for college students” by supplying “every tool for students and parents to make wise decisions,” according to the Anderson Independent Mail. In the preamble of the proposed bill, Greek organizations are specifically addressed. The bill states that schools should provide “reports to students and their parents before the students may begin the formal process of joining a fraternity or sorority.”

Shannon Kay, Clemson’s undergraduate student government president, expressed uncertainty about the bill. “While I believe the database comes from good intentions, I am not sure that I understand the value of distinguishing members of Greek organizations from members of other campus organizations or from all students in general,” said Kay.

Though the merits of distinguishing Greek organizations from other students is a matter of debate, statistics show differences between participants in Greek life and other student organizations. One in Four, Inc. is a non-profit organization that seeks to prevent sexual assault by offering presentations, trainings and technical assistance based on research and theory. According to One in Four, “fraternity men are three times more likely to commit sexual assault than other college men.” Additionally, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that students living in fraternities and sororities consume alcohol at higher rates than other students.

Kay’s response to these statistics was that the increased prevalence of certain issues in Greek organizations “does not mean that they are not issues in other organizations on campus.” When asked if she was aware of other organizations and/or clubs on campus experiencing these issues, Kay did not provide any examples. Instead, Kay reiterated that sexual assault and alcohol consumption are not specific to Greek life.

The Independent Mail indicated that the bill is Putnam’s response to the death of Tucker Hipps, a former Clemson student. Putnam said that he met with Hipps’ parents before proposing the legislation.

On Sept. 22, 2014, Hipps’ body was found in Lake Hartwell after allegedly falling off a S.C. 93 bridge during an early morning run with three members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and 26 pledges. Although no one has been criminally charged in Hipps’ death, Pickens Co. Court of Records shows pending wrongful death and personal injury suits filed by Hipps’ parents and estate against Sigma Phi Epsilon, three fraternity members and Clemson University.

The Hipps family has argued that their son’s death is the result of hazing. A summons amended on Dec. 8, 2015 states the plaintiffs’ allegation that the three fraternity members “forced Tucker to get on the narrow railing along the bridge and walk some distance of the bridge on top of the railing” after an alleged confrontation over the pledges’ failure to bring the requested breakfast. Clemson, who suspended Sigma Phi Epsilon until 2020, and the fraternity members deny responsibility for Hipps’ death.

In an email to Vice President of Student Affairs Almeda Jacks, The Tiger asked if Putnam’s proposal would help prevent incidents like Hipps’ death. Jacks responded that Student Affairs supports Putnam’s goal to provide the public with information about student organizations and has “provided substantial educational information on safety and hazing for both students and parents during orientation sessions and member-education programs.”

Jacks also cited Clemson’s public website that documents violations of the student organization conduct code by fraternities and sororities, which can be found in Important News on Campus Life’s Fraternity and Sorority Life page. “Any student organization at Clemson which has been reported to have been in violation—legally or from a student code of conduct —would be investigated by OCES and/or CUPD,” said Jacks.

The company Greeks for Greeks has created an app that could be a potential resource for schools and law enforcement for information gathering on Greek Life in general. GoGreekNow is an app that provides fraternity and sorority members with their own social media platform. Users across the country have access to photo and video streaming, Greek specific stories and editorials authored by Greeks. The app is exclusively for the Greek community. According to a news release, “Users have the ability to notify and remove any user who is not a part of their chapter and this self-regulating system has been proven to work.”

Co-Founder Nick Scott could not be reached for comment on the uses of this app by law enforcement. CUPD Chief Hendricks noted that social media is consistently employed by CUPD and local law enforcement in “missing persons, contact information, well-being checks, etc.”

The Tucker Hipps Transparency Act currently resides in the House Committee on Education and Public Works for review.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NAACP_v._Alabama

The Court decided in favor of the petitioners, holding that "Immunity from state scrutiny of petitioner's membership lists is here so related to the right of petitioner's members to pursue their lawful private interests privately and to associate freely with others in doing so as to come within the protection of the Fourteenth Amendment" and, further, that freedom to associate with organizations dedicated to the "advancement of beliefs and ideas" is an inseparable part of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
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