Benders Studio is quiet and bright as Mara Cheney sets up her yoga mat. Her hair is pulled back into a low ponytail, and she places her jean jacket on […]
Sexual Assault
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UI student sues two former FIJI members she accuses of sexual assault, as well as the fraternity’s UI chapter and its national organization
A University of Iowa student has filed a civil lawsuit against the university’s Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, or FIJI, alleging that two members of fraternity raped her at a party […]
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Lessons on consent, every Thursday on the Pentacrest
Like the thousands of people who protested at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, or Fiji, house on Aug. 31, the members of U for Us want “to end sexual misconduct […]
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‘We won’t go back’: Reproductive rights advocates rally on the Pentacrest
Parents, grandparents, college students, sexual assault survivors, LGBTQ individuals, Christians, women’s health clinic workers and more gathered on the University of Iowa Pentacrest Friday, May 17, in support of abortion […]
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The issue of accountability
From the election of Donald Trump to the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to a seat on the Supreme Court, I and other assault survivors have been deeply triggered and overwhelmed by recent and ongoing national rhetoric. Kavanaugh’s angry denial of all impropriety — except the occasional overuse of beer — was perhaps the most disheartening aspect of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the allegations against him, during which his accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, recalling her assault decades ago, was dignified and credible.
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Ernst: Democrats who voted against Kavanaugh were ‘reprehensible’
Sen. Joni Ernst called North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp’s vote against the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court “reprehensible,” during an interview last week on North Dakota television.
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Iowa lawmaker explains why she wants to make it harder for victims of domestic and sexual abuse to get protective orders
During a meeting with constituents on Saturday, Rep. Sandy Salmon claimed the two bills she introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives this month that would make it harder for victims of domestic and sexual abuse to get temporary protective orders were just attempts to “explore some options that curb abuses in the system.”
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Iowa lawmaker wants to make it harder for domestic and sexual violence victims to get protective orders
Two bills recently introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives would make it harder for victims of domestic and sexual abuse to get temporary protective orders. Both bills, HF 2214 and HF 2246, were both introduced by Rep. Sandy Salmon, a Republican from Janesville. She is also currently the sole sponsor of both bills.
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The Me Too domino effect in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and beyond
“This fight is for all of us. It is not a fight for just survivors,” said Katryn Duarte, assistant director for sexual assault services at the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP). “If we really want to eliminate sexual violence, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves on what that means and how to stop it.”
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Three programs for sexual and domestic violence survivors defunded
Three programs have been defunded among other cuts to services for individuals who have experienced sexual and domestic violence following the Iowa Legislature’s decision to decrease funding for victim services by 26 percent. Additional funding cuts at the federal level also contributed to the shortfall.
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On sexual assault, the University of Iowa is failing its students
In a general media briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Jessup Hall, University of Iowa President Sally Mason responded to the most recent report of sexual assault…
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Wire: Congrats, ‘sentencing a rapist to volunteer at a rape crisis center,’ you are the dumbest idea yet
We could probably write a “terribly inadequate rape sentences” post every day with our eyes closed and one hand tied behind our backs…
