students organize in response to msu basketball rape allegations

It has recently come to light that two members of the Michigan State
University men’s basketball team have been accused of sexually
assaulting a female student in late August. Despite the survivor
reporting her rape, a police report being filed, and police
recommending the pursuit of charges against the assailants, no charges
have been filed. It seems that these two athletes have committed
rape, yet are facing no consequences for their actions. We believe that all people who
commit acts of sexual violence should be held accountable for their
actions, regardless of their status as student athletes.

As MSU students, we are deeply troubled and concerned by the lack of action and the
lack of a response on the part of MSU’s Administration, Residence
Life, and the Athletic Department. The responses to this crime by the
Prosecutor’s Office, MSU’s Administration, Residence Life, and MSU’s
Athletic Department send certain messages to MSU students and members
of the community. First, by failing to prosecute these individuals,
remove them from Residence Halls, from their classes at MSU, and from
MSU’s Basketball team, students receive the message that they can
commit acts of sexual violence against other students without
consequence. It also sends the message to survivors of sexual assault,
that their experiences are insignificant, thus discouraging future
survivors from reporting their assaults.

In response to this grave injustice at our school and in our
community, a group of concerned MSU students have come together and formed the Coalition Against Sexual Violence, in order
to make sense of this violence and call for justice in this case.  Please support our cause by spreading the word wherever you can, and demanding that the MSU administration take action!