UVA Frats Are Back, But Sororities Want Sisters To Avoid Their Parties To Avoid Being Raped [View all]

Greeks at the University of Virginia are now free to party again, with the conclusion of a temporary suspension following widespread controversy over an alleged sexual assault at a fraternity house. But not everyone will be participating. Sorority sisters at UVA have been ordered to avoid frat parties this weekend.

This semester marks Spring Rush, when students may join fraternities. A “Boy’s Bid Night” is planned for this Saturday — an event involving parties at each fraternity house that sorority sisters typically attend. But now, representatives from national chapters are telling UVA sorority sisters to stay away from bid night parties, even though the fraternities themselves are not being restricted. Women may face penalties like suspensions and fines if they attend Saturday night’s gatherings.

Tammie Pinkston, the international president of Alpha Delta Pi, told UVA’s student newspaper that “the activities on Men’s Bid Night present significant safety concerns” and encouraged sororities to “plan alternative sisterhood events” for that night.

Efforts to prevent sexual violence often rely on cursory solutions like encouraging students to drink less alcohol, or telling women to avoid attending parties or walking alone. As UVA students point out, many of these recommendations disproportionately target women’s behavior and limit the way they move through public spaces, rather than attempting to change the behavior of rapists. Sexual violence prevention advocates say this approach ultimately fuels victim-blaming.


http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/01/28/3616373/uva-sororities-frat-parties/