Rape Cases Rarely See Courtroom Rapist Was Her Boyfriend
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Serving UNC students and the University community since 1893 Volume 120, Issue 35 dailytarheel.com Thursday, April 19, 2012 SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS Rape cases rarely see courtroom rapist was her boyfriend. And But she eventually found a them from response groups and Tough numbers a rape conviction. Arrests on rape charges though she knew her story to group of supporters who make police. Of the 13 arrests, nine cases see lesser convictions, be true, she thought authorities her comfortable sharing her past. Shamecca Bryant, Orange Of the 37 cases of rape, were dismissed because of lack of would doubt it. And today Schlessman, County Rape Crisis Center execu- attempted rape and sexual assault probable cause or because a vic- or no conviction at all. “It is how it is because that’s who moved to Pittsboro from tive director, said recounting a reported to the Chapel Hill Police tim wouldn’t prosecute. their job,” she said, explaining Michigan in 2009 to pur- rape to police can be re-trauma- Department from 2007 to this Three led to a guilty plea, but By Jeanna Smialek that police have to ask probing sue organic farming, is there tizing, which keeps many from February, eight led to first- or in each plea agreement a second- City Editor questions to explore the validity for other victims as a Family seeking help from law enforce- second-degree rape arrests. degree rape charge was dismissed of a story. “But when it’s such a Violence and Rape Crisis Services ment. Police also made five other and the person was convicted of a Five years ago, Stevie struggle within myself…” employee in Chatham County. And even when rape and arrests on second-degree rape lesser offense. Schlessman was raped, but she Even worse, Schlessman says But even as she speaks up, sexual assaults are reported, it is charges in 2007, all related to Sabrina Garcia, head of Chapel never considered telling police. the few friends she told disbe- many sexual assault victims still a long and unlikely journey from one 2006 incident. Alcohol was involved. The lieved her, silencing her for years. harbor secret traumas, keeping a police report to a conviction. Not one of those arrests led to SEE PROSECUTION, PAGE 4 No plans for CROSSING BORDERS Amendment OF RED TAPE One in place UNC has not specified “I have no idea why whether benefits (the University is) not being more proactive would be altered. to ensure all of our By Emily Overcarsh students, staff and Staff Writer faculty get to keep the Amendment One goes to a benefits that exist.” vote in less than 20 days, but UNC has yet to release any Terri Phoenix, Director of UNC’s plans on whether it would alter LGBTQ Center policies to maintain benefits for faculty, staff and students if memberships so that the the referendum is approved. change has no real effect. A poll released by Public Larry Hicks, director of Policy Polling projects the housing and residential edu- amendment will pass on May cation, said while he doesn’t 8. University spokesman Mike know what power he will McFarland wrote in an email have over potential impacts of that it is too early to speculate Amendment One on housing, on policy changes. it will be discussed. But Terri Phoenix, direc- “Amendment One does have tor of UNC’s Lesbian, Gay, the potential for having serious Bisexual, Transgender and implications in terms of staff Queer Center, feels differently. and hiring, and we’ll just have “How people are saying to wait and see the outcome.” (the benefits) are not going to “Serious illness leave,” which be impacted is beyond me,” allows faculty to take paid Phoenix said. leave if their unmarried part- “I have no idea why (the ner of the same or opposite sex University is) not being more is seriously ill, is also under proactive to ensure all of our threat, Phoenix said. DTH PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/JOSH CLINARD AND ALLISON RUSSELL students, staff and faculty get Administrators’ main con- to keep the benefits that exist,” cern, which has been articu- International students often summer internship was approaching, and Security for the right to work. Phoenix said. “It should be a lated by Chancellor Holden I still hadn’t gotten my permit.” “The timeliness is a problem, par- priority.” Thorp, is that if passed, have a long wait for Homeland When Laya finally received approval to ticularly for those students who want to Amendment One would Amendment One might dam- work about a week before her internship do a summer internship program and revise the North Carolina con- age student, faculty and staff Security work approval. start date, she said she was relieved. may not get the offer in place in time to stitution to say that marriage retention and recruitment. “It would have been so embarrassing apply 90 to 120 days in advance,” said between a man and a woman Among UNC peer institu- By Katie Quine to tell Business Insider, you know, I can’t Elizabeth Barnum, director of the Office would be the only recognized tions, two of 15 don’t offer the Staff Writer work because I don’t have my permit after of International Student and Scholar legal domestic union. same benefits for same sex cou- they chose me.” Services. As UNC is a public univer- ples as opposite sex couples. When senior international student Laya is not the only international The office assists students with the sity, benefits it offers to couples On Friday, the Faculty Patty Laya landed an internship in New student caught in limbo when it comes visa process and work eligibility, which who are not legally married Council passed a resolution York City last summer with news site to getting permits for internships. has become more complicated with might be canceled if eligibility that did not take a position on Business Insider, she was excited. International students are required to national security concerns in the years criteria are not changed. the proposed amendment, but But days before she was set to begin, jump through certain legal hoops to following 9/11. Some vulnerable benefits for reaffirmed UNC’s commitment when she still hadn’t received approval qualify for work in the United States. Several news outlets reported that one same sex partners of students to equality of opportunity. to work from the U.S. Department of In fall 2011, 448 international students of the 9/11 hijackers used a student visa to and employees include health Christopher Putney, interim Homeland Security, she got worried. were enrolled in undergraduate pro- gain entry into the United States. insurance, on-campus housing director of sexuality studies, “Apparently, last year (the approval grams at UNC. In March, Chancellor Holden Thorp and campus recreation mem- said he is unsure of how UNC process) was taking a longer time than it If international students seek any sort was named to a new Academic Advisory berships, Phoenix said. would react to the amendment. usually did,” Laya, who is originally from of off-campus employment not required Council in the Department of Homeland Marty Pomerantz, director “I can’t say, but I’m opti- Venezuela, said. “I was getting more and for a class, including internships, they of campus recreation, wrote in mistic.” more stressed out because the day of my must seek prior approval from Homeland SEE INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 4 an email that if Amendment One passes he would change Contact the University Editor eligibility requirements for at [email protected]. Online course evaluations lead to decline in participation “There are courses where 10 percent, even fewer percent, bother to fill them out,” evaluations because many stu- convinced that the web-based The School of Public said Michael Salemi, economics dents don’t bring a laptop to class. approach is superior.” Health, however, saw a than 10 percent, bother to fill them out.” department chairman. “Students Williford said a lack of Kier said written responses are are effectively removing them- Internet access in some class- more insightful, and web-based participation increase. Michael Salemi, selves from the equation.” rooms is another barrier to com- evaluations cause skewed sample Department chairman, economics Before evaluations went online, pleting evaluations in class. effects. “It’s probably not a statis- By Caroline Leland professors passed out paper forms William Kier, chairman of tically useful style,” he said. Staff Writer But efficiency, University offi- response rates in the College of in class. Now students are usually the biology department, said Cecil Wooten, chairman of the cials said, has come at the cost of Arts and Sciences dropped from expected to complete evaluations his department still uses paper classics department, estimated When the University moved student participation. about 70 percent to 60 percent in on their own time at the end of evaluations because it ensures a only 20 percent of students in his its course evaluations online in Lynn Williford, assistant pro- the past two years. each semester. better response rate. department fill out online course 2010, officials said it would save vost for institutional research “There are courses where Salemi said professors are less “It’s much more time-inten- money and time. and assessment, said overall 10 percent, even fewer than 10 likely to give class time for online sive,” he said. “But we’re not SEE EVALUATIONS, PAGE 4 BASEBALL DIVERSIONS This day in Today’s weather Inside The Tar Heels fell to Check out this week’s Di- history Time to party, Liberty 5-3 at Boshamer versions section to read APRIL 19, 1963 seniors.