During early February 2004, a young female student at the University of Virginia was raped in her dorm room. Ten days after the rape was reported, the University Police still had not interviewed the male student about this crime. Five weeks after the rape had been reported, the Dean of Students Office still had done nothing to assist the young victim.

On March 19, 2004, flyers were distributed throughout the UVA campus by the young victim's mother to notify students that this website had been created.

This website was published on March 21, 2004. Within days, over 100 e-mails from other victims had been received. Some letters were simply notes of thanks and support for creating the website; some letters shared heartbreaking stories. Although each note was different, their message was the same: the University of Virginia fails to respond properly to victims of sexual assault.  The following message was then posted on this site:

The response came eight months later in a press release:

As of March 1st, 2005, the University had not changed any policies or apologized to the hundreds of women whose lives have been altered. In late winter 2005 the following message was posted:

With all due respect, President Casteen, how can you understand the problem of sexual assault on your campus if you remain unwilling to face the victims and listen to their stories?  Your indifference to these victims speaks louder than any statement you have issued. Sixty women had the courage to report being sexually assaulted on your campus in 2003, yet Dean Rue confirmed that only three Sexual Assault Boards were held. More troubling was the admission that during the same time period, one male student found guilty by the Sexual Assault Board was allowed to remain on campus without sanction so that he could graduate on time. UVA Sexual Assault policies are neither victim friendly nor designed to reduce sexual assault incidents on your campus. Current practices are in violation of federal laws. "Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972"  guidelines clearly require that "the school must promptly investigate to determine what occurred and then take appropriate steps to resolve the situation." They also state that in "some cases, such as alleged sexual assaults, mediation will not be appropriate even on a voluntary basis."

It is my opinion (supported by the hundreds of letters of support that I've received from students, parents, and other professionals) that even though your written comments may sound comforting and politically  correct to someone unfamiliar with the way sexual assault victims are treated, they ring hollow: the University DOES tolerate acts of violence against students who trust this community to be a safe and supportive place in which to live and work. Too many students are not only victims of rape, but sadly, also victims of the University's administrative processes. Protests, newspaper articles, television shows, letters, and this website confirm that a disconnect exists between your "written statement" and your staff's "actual response" when notified about crimes of sexual assault. This particular quote is demeaning to women, condescending (these women are students, not someone's "sister"), and show the shallow regard you have for the topic of sexual assault.  Neither you nor your staff have shown any obligation to protect these young women in crisis. I know because I asked for help and you ignored the plea.

We know for a fact that my daughter was not this man's first known victim - and we are anguished to know that she was not his last campus victim. How many times must a young man force himself upon a woman before the administration and the University Police recognizes that this is a pattern of deviant behavior and not just an opportunistic young man getting "lucky" with the girls?  UVA Sexual Assault policies will not solve this man's personal issues - but having the right policies in place WILL keep another woman from having her life altered.

On March 17th, 2005 an e-mail was sent to all students announcing that:

UVA HAS ADOPTED A NEW SEXUAL ASSAULT POLICY

Although the University does not acknowledge that many policy change ideas were taken from this website and from correspondence sent by the founder of this website to the VP, it is nice to know that our efforts have forced a CHANGE to the University Sexual Assault Policies! Even though more work is to be done, we applaud this first step and encourage the Administration to continue to work with the students to complete the work on this topic by taking the necessary final steps to eliminate this crime from the campus. Let's hope this is not merely a "paper change" but rather a positive change in philosophy and attitude by those in authority at the University. (Editorial Comment: In early December 05, the founder of this website received information indicating that the new policy was not being followed...)

A May 2005 update:

My daughter's rapist has been arrested twice in Charlottesville since he assaulted my daughter in Feb 2004.

►The first arrest: Obstructing Justice - a Class I Misdemeanor crime (he gave a Police Officer a fake name and Social Security number during an investigation). He had the case continued twice. Unfortunately, the officer failed to properly respond in Court and the case was dismissed. According to the University Administration, lying to a Police Officer off campus is not an Honor Offense. This is a contradiction to the incoming first year honor presentation.
►The second arrest: Public Swearing/Intoxication - a Class IV Misdemeanor crime. He was found guilty by the Charlottesville General District Court and fined. The case has been appealed.

While the Administration was taking their time revising policies and denying that their Police force mishandled my daughter's case, this man was not only continuing to have run-ins with the law with these relatively minor offenses, he again sexually assaulted a young woman. Although she reported the rape to the Charlottesville Police, he was not arrested. WHY NOT??? He committed 2 rapes and was not arrested for either. But he was observed to be drunk in Public and was arrested. President Casteen, VP Lampkin, Dean Rue, The Women's Center, 1-in-Four, NOW, SAPA, AWAKE and SAFE: I'd appreciate hearing how you rationalize this? What actions have you taken to assure parents that this issue is being addressed?  This man's predatory behavior is the basis for the question:  WHY ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CHEATING BUT NOT FOR RAPE? The recent change to UVA's sexual assault policy  means NOTHING unless the University reacts appropriately to crimes of sexual assault!

Many young women are ashamed or guilt ridden following a sexual assault, and often they tell no one. Keeping silent does not mean it did not happen.  Many people are of the opinion that sexual assault occurs with a stranger and only when physical force is used. Or even more appalling is the view that it is strictly a "He said-She said" situation. That is such an ignorant view: sexual assault/rape is accomplished through intimidation or coercion. It is assault if you are made to have sexual relations against your will.  The fact that you knew the individual does not mean the sex was consensual. Alcohol consumption does not give anyone the right to take advantage of you. There is no need to be ashamed or silent if you have been assaulted.

Every woman who has been assaulted is urged to file a report with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean should be made aware of any student who knowingly commits assault. Although my daughter's situation was handled rudely and unprofessionally by the UVA Administration, we have finally gotten their attention and you should not be afraid to come forward. Your report may help another woman in her quest for justice.

If you believe that you were forced into having sexual relations against your will by a male UVA student who fits the description of my daughter's rapist, please contact me immediately through this website. If you're not sure if the student who assaulted you is the same man, visit the link given above for the Charlottesville District Courts and type in his name. If the person who assaulted you is in that database, then chances are, it is the same person. The statute of limitations for filing a civil suit against someone for sexual assault is 2 years. There is no statute of limitations for prosecution of this crime by the Commonwealth.

Contact uvarape@cox.net 
Created to support all UVA Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault.
Site Information last updated on 30 Aug 2007.