An investigation is now underway at two prestigious Atlanta Universities after an anonymous twitter user detailed an alleged gang rape which set off a social media firestorm.
In this country nearly one in five college freshmen are raped or are victims of attempted rape. So hearing about college rape stories are not new to us. But something about this story has struck a nerve with people.
The @RapedAtSpelman Twitter account started on May 2.
This is my freshmen year at Spelman and my last year because I decided to leave after what happened to me.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
The anonymous account then went on to tell a story about partying with upperclassmen, being raped, and the aftermath. Just for some reference, Spelman is a private woman’s college and Morehouse is a men’s college. Both are historically black and are considered sort of brother-sister schools.
I went to a party with my friends there were alot of people there and it was really fun so we decided to drink with the upperclassmen.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
surrounded by 4 Morehouse students who took me to another room and took turns raping me. I was in shock about what had happened.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
went to public safety to do a report and I was sent to the hospital for a rape kit. It took Spelman a month to get back to me about my case
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
drinking under age. The Dean also said that Spelman & Morehouse are brother & sister so I should give them a pass. I never felt so worthless
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
make me feel safe and wants to silence me. So I would like to say goodbye to Spelman and to the amazing people I've met along the way.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
You can NEVER say Morehouse has their sisters back if they are just going to force her on it.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
According to the President of Morehouse, John Silvanus Wilson Jr., the school’s Office of Campus Safety has been “activated” to investigate the allegations fully “with the limited information” available.
“Sexual assault is a heinous form of violence and it is a stark contradiction to Morehouse College at its best. The information anonymously shared on Twitter was our very first indication of this incident. Now that we are aware of these allegations, we are determined to pursue the investigation to the fullest extent possible.”
But as the college, and even the Atlanta police, promised to investigate….with little to go on…social media went crazy.
Students have been using the #RapedAtSpelman and #RapedByMorehouse to voice their outrage about campus rape, victim shaming, and a culture that too often protects the accused and silences the victim.
The silent protest this morning was extremely powerful! We made so many unresponsive people feel uncomfortable. https://t.co/KcAyX4SwdP
— Ohmy_Noo. (@ToThe_Bone) May 4, 2016
AUC students silent protesting @Spelman to speak out against the silencing of rape victims. #RapedByMorehouse pic.twitter.com/b3MmS4ndL0
— Avery. (@Philosavery) May 3, 2016
I am able to work with genuine people.bThis protest happened because we push.#rapedatspelman #rapedbymorehouse pic.twitter.com/R9kEtvSJ7h
— Clarissa Brooks (@ayyeechloe) May 4, 2016
to all my morehouse brothers mad at spelman sisters for speaking out- when u say #blacklivesmatter, were u excluding ours? #rapedbymorehouse
— ree botts. (@reeciology) May 4, 2016
I need my Morehouse brothers and sons to understand that #rapedbymorehouse is a call to end campus rape culture, not a universal indictment.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 3, 2016
Students are calling out #RapedByMorehouse officials to address the rape culture in the AUC. https://t.co/WXidNj3U3t pic.twitter.com/TNkV22NsPB
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) May 3, 2016
If the #RapedByMorehouse hashtag bothers you
then urge the school to do something about the rape— Jumpman (@Younglionking7) May 3, 2016
Today is about interrupting a campus culture that normalizes sexual violence. #RapedAtSpelman #RapedByMorehouse pic.twitter.com/LBbzi1O7G5
— Avery. (@Philosavery) May 3, 2016
