The Hunting Ground Viewer Information Wednesday 21 June 2017
Originally released in 2015, The Hunting Ground looks at sexual assault on campus from the perspective of young women involved. It has generated much public debate, as well as a great deal of controversy.
You’ll find details of the criticisms as well as rebuttals below. The ABC has completed a rigorous assessment of the film to ensure it meets ABC Editorial Policies.
The version shown on ABC2 is the edited version shown on CNN.
Updates since the film was released in 2015:
- The filmmakers have confirmed the following information which was added to the ABC version of the film:
“The filmmakers sought comment from all named perpetrators and organisations.”
- The Erica Kinsman / Jameis Winston / Florida State University Case: Florida State agrees to pay Winston accuser $950,000 to settle suit USA Today, 25/01/16 Jameis Winston lawsuits officially closed Tampa Bay Times, 18/01/17 Jameis Winston and Woman Who Accused Him of Rape Settle Lawsuits NY Times, 15/12/2016
Criticisms:
- 19 Harvard Law Professors Defend Law Student Brandon Winston, Denouncing His Portrayal in “The Hunting Ground” Source: The Harvard Law Record, Media Release
- The Brandon Project – Facts Matter
- SHUTTING DOWN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RAPE AT HARVARD LAW New Yorker, 11/12/15, Author: Jeannie Suk Gersen is a contributing writer for newyorker.com, and a professor at Harvard Law School.
- How The Hunting Ground Blurs the Truth Source: Slate 01/06/2015, Author: Emily Yoffe
- The Hunting Ground Uses a Striking Statistic About Campus Rape That’s Almost Certainly False Source: Science of Us, 23/11/15
- FSU PRESIDENT JOHN THRASHER STATEMENT ON CNN AND “THE HUNTING GROUND” A Statement by Florida State University President John Thrasher, November 16, 2015
Responses:
- From the filmmakers: http://thehuntinggroundfilm.com/the-facts/
- Acclaimed Documentary about Campus Rape Draws Critics too National Public Radio interview, 3/12/15
- A Defense of The Hunting Ground and Other Non-Legal Advocacy Source: Media Release, The Harvard Law Record
- What Emily Yoffe Left Out of Her Polemic on The Hunting Ground Source: Jezebel
- On the statistics: See filmmaker quote at the end of this article: The Hunting Ground Uses a Striking Statistic About Campus Rape That’s Almost Certainly False
- Why Critiques of the Campus Rape Documentary The Hunting Ground Only Prove its Point Source: Huffington Post
“Sexual Assault on Campus”: A post-broadcast discussion forum on CNN Transcript for the full panel discussion which aired after "The Hunting Ground" on Sunday, November 22, 2015. Host: Alisyn Camerota Panellists: - Stuart Taylor - author "Until Proven Innocent, Political Correctness and the Shameful Injustice of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case." - Melinda Henneberger - editor of "Roll Call" and has written extensively on sexual violence. - Jon Krakauer - author of "Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town."
Helplines:
1800Respect 1800 737 732 Sexual Assault Counselling 1800 211 028 Lifeline 13 11 14
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