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Show -- Page pinion & iTditorials 8 December 2, 1998 Editor: Jackie Fuller jfullerinfowest.com Rape Victims an Easy Target For Casual Acquaintances Commentary By Regina Loudon loiulon infowest. com Sara went out for what she thought would be a fun day with a friend. They went swimming and hiking and then back to her friend's house. Her friend tried to kiss her, and at first she liked it and she kissed him back. Then he touched her and tried to climb on top of her. Sara told him she wanted to go home, but he would not let her. He continued forcing himself on her and proceeded to rape her. She said no numerous times before she finally stopped resisting and just laid there and cried until he finished. Sara had trusted this "friend" of hers enough to put herself in a vulnerable position. She filed a report, but tire case was dropped due to lack of evidence. Since the incident, Sara has been told that nine other women were raped by this same guy. Sara is a Dixie College student and this rape happened here in St. George. The police officer in charge of her case told her her rapist is like a shoplifter, eventually he will be caught. What will he have to do? Rape 100 or 200 girls before he JTbf Dixie $utt Billy Ray Vusburg biHyrdfoiin)ou'Lcom Raolyrme Ixuidon doudoti'&nfinicst cvm News Editor Jennifer Foltz Campus Nation & State Editor Mike Sherwood Brooks Slid ton Editor A&E Editor Jennie Squire Jackie Fuller Opinion Editor Editors: Sports Courtney Gressmen Lorn K Johnston Photo Editor Jared Newbold Reporters: Maegan Hn thorn Ashletgh NtiUgnte Laura Smith Mekette Behling Photographers: Cansa Huntington Adam Congrove Advertising: Jeff Peetol Computer lech-OnliDerrick Albiston Editor Adviser Webb uvbbQccJixiexiu Hie Dint Sun &distnlmtedeachNV.lnesday as a publication during Fall .ind Spring Assistant Editor of Dixie College, its Division ot Arts, Letters and Sciences, and Dixie College Student Activities. The unMgncd editon.il on the Opinion Page the position of Ilk Dun Sun as determined bv its editorial board. Otherwise, the views and opinions expressed in llu' Puv Sun of individual writers and do not necesan the sarily ivtlect the Opinions ot nicDuvSim or any entity ot the college Letters to tin Editors must be typed and must include the name and telephone number of the author Only the name will tv printed Names an not withlield under any cuvumstancus. Th? Pnv Slut reserves the nght to edit letters tor length and taste, letters must be submitted bv noon on Friday for the Wednesday paper The Dixie Sun Dixie College Jennings Tech. Bldg. Rm. 109 225 So. 700 E. St. George. UT 84790 435652-781- 8 fax: 435656-401- 9 8unsun.ti.dixie.edu will be convicted? Maybe. Julie's case was a little different. She had been dating the guy for months. They had consensual sex on many occasions. One night she was tired and did not feel good, so she told him she would sleep with him later. He wouldn't listen. She kicked and screamed, but nothing would make him stop. Afterwards, she was confused and did not know what to think. Had she been raped or was this normal? Can you be raped if you have been intimate with the guy previously? The guy says it was consensual. He thought "no" meant "yes." Somehow, he was able to ignore the fact that she was laying there crying and not participating. Julie's case was different. She was confused afterwards. She later realized the moment she said no he should have stopped. It does not matter how many times you have sexual relations with someone or how far you lead them on. The moment you say no that person should stop. Julie did not file a report. She was too scared. She felt like for some reason it was her fault and maybe she was responsible for it. Women, if a guy said no to you, would you think that he meant yes? Would you continue if he tried to resist? Chances are the answer is no. Women realize this, but why is it that some men cannot realize what no means? If a woman is kissing a man then she is agreeing to kiss that man. If a woman says yes to fondling, then she is saying yes to that. If a woman says no at any point, then that means no and for the man to stop what he is doing. Just because she has said yes before, that does not mean she is saying yes in the future. She can say no anytime she wants to. It is illegal to make someone else have any sexual contact without consent, regardless of how well someone knows you, regardless of how much you've had to drink, regardless of whether some of the sex was consensual. You have the right to say no, to stop, or to change your mind at anytime. Most people do not recognize acquaintance rape when it is happening. Rape is clearly defined as unconsenting sexual intercourse through force or threat of force. Most people think of rapists as deranged strangers lurking in the darkness. However, a rapist can be a seemingly nice guy who is your date, acquaintance, boyfriend, or neighbor. "We've got a problem of rape, a serious problem of rape, against young women, and it's all by someone intimate, someone they know," secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala said. It is important to realize this could happen to any one of you: your family, friends, sisters, or brothers. It is vital to open your eyes to this problem. Tis the Time For Pushing, Shoving in Stores Holiday Spirit Lost in Shopping Frenzy; Kids Now Encouraged to Be Selfish Commentary By While shopping I was also bombarded with little kids running past me trying to get to Santa. com As I listened to the children telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas, I was shocked. As a little girl I remember asking for dolls. These kids were asking for computPlaystations, if it was expensive they ers wanted it. It is OK to wish for one big item, but when there are four or five at the top of your list, that's ridiculous. The most disturbing act I saw was in the parking lot when two women got out of their cars and fought each other because one had taken another's intended parking spot. Another lady had to break up the fight. Those women sure did know the meaning of Christmas. To me Christmas has always been about celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Now does Jesus want us all Raelynne Loudon loudoninfowest. Last weekend, I decided to take part in the Christmas shopping frenzy. As I walked through my favorite store I saw women fighting over the last shirt in her daughter's size. I got plowed over trying to get something for the people at the top of my shopping list, my foot got stepped on, people pushed me out of the way like I did not even have a reason to be there, and Christmas carols played overhead. Christmas was in the air. Or was it? Since when did Christmas mean getting up at the crack of dawn the morning after Thanksgiving and being rude to everyone around you so you can buy a gift for everyone close to you. s, to fight, spend money we do not have, and treat each other as badly as possible. I don't think that was in his plans. As a child, Christmas was my favorite time of year. It was not because of the gifts from Santa or the money spent on me. Christmas was special because it was one of the only times of the year our entire family would come together. My fondest memories of Christmas were not opening presents, but the celebration before and after. For weeks before Christmas, I would bake with my mom. We would then made up tins and take them to family, friends, and elderly church members in the community. The weeks before Christmas were also spent finding the perfect gifts for everyone in the family. This never required pushing and shoving, but instead quality family time spent together as mother and daughter. Christmas day was always the best. Besides attending church, the entire family would gather at my grandmother's house. I would see family members I had not seen since last Christmas. We all laughed, played, and had fun. Hung around the house there would be pictures of Jesus, not Santa. After all, who were we celebrating the day for? The best gift I ever received was not that expensive, and something many kids would not cherish: money was donated to my favorite charity in my name. That was a gift that kept on giving. I'm not saying I was never selfish as a kid because I too wanted as much as I could get. The difference is I wished for a lot, but I never did expect to get everything I wanted. Try to remember the true meaning of Christmas, and celebrate that part of the holiday |