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On Friday, 6 Jan 2006, a very
unusual and shocking story appeared in several newspapers about an assault
that took place during
a Phi Kappa Psi
party in 1984: The man accused of committing the 1984 rape contacted the
victim, mostly to
clear his conscience and apologize
for causing her harm on that particular
night in 1984.
This story validates the premise that women who are courageous enough to
report the crime of rape have always been ignored by the University.
Liz was the victim of a violent crime. She was seen by Emergency Room
staff and had her attack documented by medical authorities. She reported
the incident. her parents became involved and spoke with the Dean. She and
her family did everything they could yet NOTHING was done to support this
young victim. She was given false information and persuaded to "put the
matter behind her".
Liz did what the University suggested; she put the matter behind her and
moved on with her life.
Twenty
years passed before William Beebe admitted that he had raped Liz in 1984.
His letters prove that the University covered up the felony crime that had
taken place at Phi Kappa Psi on that night in 1984.
Although much of the media
attention has focused upon Liz's reaction to Beebe's letters, this website
must ask: WHY hasn't the University been held
accountable for the role they played in covering up this felony crime?
Didn't they have an obligation to this female student to uphold the law
and protect her rights? How can a state supported school turn a
blind eye to felony crime? It is obvious that in 20 years, nothing has
changed - except, perhaps, that the University President and Staff are
even more arrogant than they were in 1984.
In a Daily
Progress article titled, " Arrest made in '84 rape", the reporter
wrote the following:
"President John T. Casteen III, however, has been in contact with the
victim, Wood said. "President Casteen told her that he was both
saddened and sorry to read about what she had experienced and hoped
that she might be willing for him to use her case to focus attention
on rape victims' rights."
Use
her case to focus attention on rape victims' rights? There is no
documented evidence to support the notion that
President
Casteen has an agenda that focuses on rape victim’s rights.
President Casteen has never publicly shown support for sexual assault
survivors; for example, he does not attend the annual TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
activities.
President Casteen has never met
with victims or their families to understand their frustration,
anger, and fear. The Board of Visitors should demand a detailed
explanation of Wood's comments. |
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Articles from THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: |
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Associated Press,
25 Feb 2007 |
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Quest for amends brings justice
for 1984 college attack |
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by Kristen Gelineau |
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 CHARLOTTESVILLE,
Virginia (AP) -- William Beebe had been haunted by that night for
years.
He'd tried to send the letter before -- and failed.
Just like he'd failed to stick with Alcoholics Anonymous. Just like
he'd failed at so much in life.
This time, he was staying with the program. But
should he really take that treacherous ninth step?
It told him to make amends to those he'd hurt --
unless doing so would injure them further. Some had warned him to
leave it alone. But he'd prayed on it. And so, he began to write.
"You got a letter," Mike Seccuro said, tossing an
envelope onto wife Liz's lap as he climbed behind the wheel of their
minivan.
Who lives in Vegas? she wondered before her eyes
stopped on the sender's name. She froze. It was a name she had not
uttered in 20 years. Her body suddenly felt cold, her brain fuzzy.
With shaking hands, she opened the envelope.
"Dear Elizabeth," the letter began. "In 1984 I harmed
you."
She wept.
[more] |
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Articles from THE HOOK (Charlottesville's weekly news magazine): |
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THE HOOK,
12 January 2006 |
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'I harmed you': 21 years, 12 steps
later, rape apology backfires |
Courteney Stuart
The Hook Senior Editor |
 Step
Nine of the famous 12 steps in Alcoholics Anonymous requires the
member to "make amends" to those he had harmed through his
addiction. Former UVA student William Nottingham Beebe may wish he'd
stopped at Step Eight.
After he tracked down and apologized to the woman
he allegedly raped at a UVA fraternity house more than 20 years ago,
the 41-year-old Nevada man was arrested last week in Las Vegas. His
attempt to make amends answered with an arrest warrant, he now faces
a possible sentence of life in prison.
[more] |
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THE HOOK,
16 March 2006 |
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20 years later: Rape apologist
faces court hearing |
Courteney Stuart
The Hook Senior Editor |
In the two months since her alleged rapist's January
4 arrest in Las Vegas, UVA grad Liz Seccuro says the media frenzy
has at times been overwhelming-- with reporters sometimes camped out
in her Greenwich, Connecticut driveway.
"At one point I was cowering in my kitchen, trying to hide from
them," she recalls.
She was featured in the February 20 issue of People magazine, has
completed interviews for an upcoming Dateline NBC episode, and has
been in touch with representatives from CNN, CNBC, and Fox though
she says she declined a request for an interview with Fox's Geraldo
Rivera, who visited Charlottesville in January to research her
story.
[more] |
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THE HOOK,
30 March 2006 |
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Certified: Rape case goes to grand
jury |
Courteney Stuart
The Hook Senior Editor |
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It had already been a long day for Liz Seccuro by the
time she arrived at Fuel Co. bistro at 5pm on Friday, March 24. She
was there to meet a group of her sorority sisters and other friends
who had come to downtown Charlottesville to show their support.
Nearly 22 years after she'd allegedly been raped
in a UVA fraternity house, and six months after her assailant first
contacted her to apologize, Seccuro had come face to face with him.
In a small courtroom in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
earlier that afternoon, Judge Edward DeJ. Berry had certified the
rape charges against William N. Beebe to a grand jury.
[more] |
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ADDITIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE: |
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The Media has covered this case extensively.
Some
transcripts that are available on the web:
Paula Zahn, CNN
Edie
Magnus, Dateline
Dan
Abrams, The Abrams Report
Katie Couric, a UVA Alum, also interviewed Liz
during her last week as anchor chair of the TODAY SHOW.
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STARS
Sisters Together Assisting Rape Survivors
Liz founded
STARS in order to help fund programs to assist rape victims and
their families as they go through the daunting task of getting
justice. Visit her site by clicking on the picture.
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es from THE HOOK (Charlottesville's weekly
news magazine):
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This website was
created to inform
Parents, Students, and Alumni about the
University of Virginia's ineffective response to the crime
of sexual assault. Support
"ZERO TOLERANCE FOR RAPE!"
Alumnae and Undergrads:
We are seeking information on the following:
1) Witnesses for a pending lawsuit that involves a UVA
Alumni. If you (or someone you know) were made to have non-consensual sex with
the male pictured on the homepage anytime during 2003-2006, you
may be able to provide key evidence for an upcoming civil trial.
2) Survivors - Did you take your case to the Albemarle Commonwealth
Attorney Rick Moore, only to be turned away? Were you upset by any of the comments
made to you by the Police or Commonwealth Attorney's office? During a Take
Back the Night Rally, several women shared comments about the comments
made to them by these offices. We'd
like to chat with these women and explore the similar way the cases have
been handled.
Contact us
immediately because IF YOU STAY SILENT, NOTHING WILL CHANGE. ALL
comments and tips will be treated with complete anonymity. Send your
e-mail to
uvarape@cox.net.
It's the right thing to do.
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Contact
uvarape@cox.net
Created to support all UVA Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault.
Site Information last updated on 30
Aug 2007.
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