WASHINGTON — While Rolling Stone has retracted its failed article on campus rape at the University of Virginia, the published story may have caused lasting damage in several areas.
In its analysis of the discredited report, the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism says the failure could spread the idea that many women invent rape allegations — a concern to those who aid victims.
“I would venture to say that the article reinforced some pre-existing beliefs that women make up stories about sexual assault and that’s not helpful,” says Kristi VanAudenhove, executive director of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.
Advocates also worry that the discredited article might discourage sexual assault victims from stepping forward.
“I think it’s a legitimate concern and we are all really hoping that the fallout from this article does not discourage victims from speaking out,” says Lisae Jordan, executive director and counsel for the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Rolling Stone editors told Columbia University investigators that their main failure was being too accommodating to the student accuser because she was described as a rape survivor. They say they were too deferential because social scientists and psychologists who support rape victims told them they need to respect victims’ autonomy.
But it’s an argument that victims’ advocates aren’t buying.
“Treating sexual assault survivors with respect, treating them with a sensitivity toward what happened, does not require that you ignore the truth,” says Jordan.
The Columbia report also concludes that the article tarnished the reputation of Phi Kappa Psi, the University of Virginia fraternity at the center of the discredited rape allegations, and says the University has suffered because of the failed article.
The fraternity has announced it is pursuing legal action against Rolling Stone.
