<p>The problem with a lot of sexual assault cases on college campuses is that they are not prosecutable in a court of law, or even as violations of a student code of conduct, because the facts are disputed. In my brief experience (not at UVA) several decades ago as a faculty rep on a committee that heard such cases, the “typical” case involved a couple that had been drinking way to excess. Both would agree that some sexual contact had occurred but the woman would say that she had not consented (or had withdrawn consent) and the man would say that no, she had consented. No witnesses, and sometimes a long gap between the event and the reporting of the event.</p>
<p>I am absolutely NOT justifying any university’s complacency about sexual assault or domestic violence. I think that consciousness needs to be raised both among male students and female students and that the institution needs to be vigorous in encouraging the reporting of such incidents. But the common situation is not a Yeardley Love/George Hughely one.</p>