Sexual assault, abuse, and rape by athletes is a devastating crime. These crimes by themselves are horrendous, but when committed by athletes there are many different factors involved. Through extensive research this paper will show contributing factors that may result in assault, abuse, or rape by athletes. Special treatment for athletes throughout their career, belief in sexual male dominance, and the role of alcohol are all important factors. Other crucial factors are the attitudes and responses of: society, juries, victims, coaches, and athletes. This paper will explore all these issues and show that changes need to be made in all the areas to combat the growing percentages of sport assault, abuse, and rape against women.
Sexual abuse by athletes is evident at every level, from high school team members to professional players. In the last decade, some of the most noted athletes in big league sports have been accused of sexually abusing or attacking women. In many cases, however, the woman decided not to bring it to public trial, and charges were dropped:
• Gerald Perry, a Denver Broncos offensive tackle, was acquitted of a rape charge (but agreed to undergo counseling).
• Aaron Pryor, former junior-welterweight champion of the world was arrested and charged with rape and keeping a woman tied up for twenty-four hours. The most serious charges were dropped. Pryor pleaded to lesser charges, but will not have a criminal record.
• Two University of Colorado football players were charged with rape and were acquitted, but then left school.
• Tony McCoy, defensive tackle at the University of Florida, was arrested and charged with sexual battery for holding a student at knife point.
• Mike Tyso...
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...thletic participation." Violence against Women Jan. 1999
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NCAVA National Coalition Against Violent Athletes. May 1999 Available WWW http://campussafety.org/Ncava/
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Hansen, Elaine Tuttle. Chaucer and the Fictions of Gender. Berkeley: U of California P. 1992. Print. (Kennedy Library PR1928.W64 H36 1992)
In the last three years alone the list of the accused included Dante Bichette, Barry Bonds, John Daly, Scottie Pippen, Jose Conseco, Bobby Cox, Mike Tyson, Warren Moon, Michael Cooper, Darryl Strawberry, Duane Causwell, Olden Polynice, Robert Parish, and OJ Simpson( Callahan, Sports Ilustrated). And these are only the pro athletes whose wives had the courage to report the violence.
“The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife, – this longing to attain self-consciousness, manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message f...
Traditional female characteristics and female unrest are underscored in literary works of the Middle Ages. Although patriarchal views were firmly established back then, traces of female contempt for such beliefs could be found in several popular literary works. Female characters’ opposition to societal norms serves to create humor and wish- fulfillment for female and male audiences to enjoy. “Lanval” by Marie De France and “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer both show subversion of patriarchal attitudes by displaying the women in the text as superior or equal to the men. However, “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” also incorporates conventional societal ideas by including degradation of women and mistreatment of a wife by her husband.
According to a statement addressing the sexual victimization of college women The Crime and Victimization in America states that, “ One out of four women will be sexually assaulted on a college campus.” This disturbing fact has not minimized throughout the years, instead it is continuing to worsen throughout college campuses. Sexual assault is not an act to be taken lightly. Society must stop pinpointing the individuals who commit these crimes one by one, but rather look at the problem as a whole and begin to understand the main cause of sexual assault and possible methods to reduce these acts of sexual coercion.
Susan Griffin’s Rape: The All-American Crime touches on many issues within American society. She begins by recounting how she was taught to be afraid of strange men from such a young age that she had not yet learned what it was she was so afraid of, and then goes into her experience with harassment, an experience shared by every woman at some point in her life. Griffin recounts the belief that all rapists are insane and the proof that they are just normal men and dispels the myth that rape is normal activity that is prohibited by society. However, she goes on to clarify that our culture views rape: “as an illegal, but still understandable, form of behavior” (Griffin 514). It seems that the wrongness of rape is determined by the situation in
Sexual assault has nothing to do with attraction, desire, or passion, but for the feeling of power and control over another individual, anger, and the want to hurt another (Kaminker, 1998). The rape epidemic sweeping the nation’s colleges needs to be examined more thoroughly. The colleges that deny acting upon accusations need to be scrutinized for their actions. Every sexual assault case needs to be examined with justice, care, and respect of the victims. Prosecution levels of the accused needs to be increased, to where no man/woman has the right to commit the crime, but can get away with it.
... allows the present day reader to gain insight into commonly held beliefs regarding women during the 14th century. By allowing Alison to have a sense of humor and joke about aspects of her marriage, Chaucer was able to make numerous points regarding women that would not have been acknowledged had a female author created them. By making Alison a laughable character, Chaucer was able to make points about women such as the unfairness of double standards, the acknowledgement of female desire, and the reality of women marrying well to improve their economic situations. Chaucer also provides us with detailed examples of commonly held stereotypes regarding women that are still relevant approximately seven centuries later.
According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, satire is "a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn." When examining satire of the Renaissance, one has to wonder what a man like Erasmus of Rotterdam would think of today's world, politically and morally speaking. Would a man like Erasmus, who was so outspoken in his own time, be able to stand aside and let the folly flow freely? Where are the Erasmus' of our own time, and who will stand against our government, churches, and other powerful organizations for what is right, even if it requires speaking out against the actions and agendas of these very powerful entities? In Erasmus' Praise of Folly, Erasmus is a staunch adversary of folly within the church and politics of the day. If Erasmus were alive today, he would not only enjoy the freedom of speech which is taken for granted by many today, but he would surely espouse himself to any variety of modern day follies within American politics and the American Catholic church. Especially when it comes to the gross misappropriation the American budget, and the fact that evangelicals across the country supported George W. Bush, a president who has cost not only thousands of lives, but billions of dollars on a war that may have been unnecessary, Erasmus would have not only been disgusted and outraged, but he would have indeed spoken against these modern day follies. Erasmus, were he alive today, would have acted as a quintessential representative for many people who have lost faith in American churches and American government.
In medieval England, society’s roles were dominated by men and women were either kept at home or doing labor work. Among the most famous medieval English literature, “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer, lies ‘The Wife of Bath's Prologue’ and ‘The Wife of Bath's Tale.’ Within, Chaucer shares his perspective of the Wife of Bath, the Queen, and the Crone. Through the use of symbolism and diction, Chaucer aims to change society’s expectations of women.
In Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, The Wife of Bath is a strong woman who loudly states her opinions about the antifeminist sentiments popular at the time. Chaucer, however, frequently discredits her arguments by making them unfounded and generally compromising her character. This brings into question Chaucer's political intent with the Wife of Bath. Is he supportive of her views, or is he making a mockery of woman who challenge the patriarchal society and its restriction and mistrust of women? The Wife's comedic character, frequent misquoting of authorities, marital infidelity, and her (as well as Chaucer's) own antifeminist sentiments weaken the argument that Chaucer supported of the Wife's opinions.
White, Annie "Feminism or Anti-Feminism: Images of Women in Chaucer's 'The Wife of Bath,'" 20 Jan. 2001.
Cheryl, sixteen, trainer for her high-school girl's volleyball team and photographer for the school newspaper, arrived at the gym at about 9:00 Saturday for a volleyball tournament. She left her purse and equipment with friends while she went to the restroom. When the game started and she hadn't returned to the team's bench, her friends went to look for her. Her raped body was found behind some stage backdrops on the balcony of the school auditorium(Booher 12). Sexual harassment and rape are prevalent in all aspects of society.
Geoffrey Chaucer used his characters in Canterbury Tales as a way to illustrate stereotype of medieval society. The Wife of Bath, one of the pilgrims in Canterbury Tales demonstrates an authoritative role in marriage The Wife of Bath’s unusual behavior and attitudes can be interpreted by two motives: feminist ideals or sexual indulgence. When considering feminist viewpoints, it can be concluded that the Wife of Bath’s behavior is motivated by sexual indulgence.
Two former Vanderbilt football players face the possibility of decades in prison. Corey Batey and Thomas Thurman were the two perpetrators that were captured raping a woman on video that had done viral. Corey Batey was known to be a hard drinker and had many easy hook ups at Vanderbilt University, in which he violated the in multiple ways and urinated on her. The other perpetrator was Brandon Vandenburg, who briefly dated the woman who was raped. Brandon was “not accused of touching the woman sexually, but was found guilty for being the ringleader, gave condoms and egged others on, voice heard on video, instructing them, and laughing” (Blinder, Alan, and Richard PÉrez-peÑa). Security camera images found the men carrying an unconscious woman into a dormitory room. “Several people knew of the assault, but failed to report it” (Blinder, Alan, and Richard PÉrez-peÑa), therefore bystanders need to speak up to consequent the perpetrators. Thomas Thurman, prosecutor in this case, said alcohol was an excuse football players had fallen back on and “these young men appeared to think they were entitled because they were athletes and rules didn’t apply.” Before the case even went to trial, the men were expelled. Another rape case that is very recent is with a Louisville basketball