NCJ Number
143970
Date Published
1993
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the dynamics associated with university fraternity life concludes that fraternities are a physical and sociocultural context that encourages the sexual coercion of women.
Abstract
The research involved a case study of an alleged gang rape at Florida State University involving 4 fraternity men and a 18-year-old female university student. The group rape took place in a fraternity house and ended with the dumping of the woman in the hallway of a neighboring fraternity house. One police officer reported that sexual intercourse occurred when the victim was unconscious due to a blood-alcohol concentration that was at an almost-lethal level. Fraternity members refused to cooperate with the police investigation; the university and the fraternity's national organization banned the fraternity from campus for 5 years. Information for the study came from more than 100 newspaper articles, open-ended interviews with 20 fraternity, sorority, and independent students; interviews with 6 alumni advisors to fraternities and sororities; and judges, defense attorneys, victim advocates, and State prosecutors. Data were analyzed using the grounded theory method. Results indicated that fraternity norms and practices influence members to regard the felony crime of sexual coercion of women as a sport or context between men and men. Findings indicated that unless fraternities' composition, goals, structures, and practices change in fundamental ways, women on campus will continue to be sexual prey for fraternity men. Note and 49 references