Activist Molly McPherson breaks down Cornell University's response to a sexual assault case, calling it a "blame flip" that shifts danger onto accusers instead of the accused. The tactic discourages reporting and endangers survivors, she argues, pointing to the New York Post's "irresponsible" label as proof it backfired.
Any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false. A continuation of the false narrative that there were minimal consequences in this case is irresponsible, will make survivors feel less safe and supported, and will perpetuate the underreporting of sexual assault. Name the spin. It's, you're wrong and being wrong hurts survivors. It's also the blame flip. The accused institution makes the accuser the danger, and then the survivors become the shield. So the other survivors out there become the reason why we are not saying anything or doing anything, because we have to protect future victims, potential victims out there. But here's a receipt that says this move doesn't work. Even the New York Post Has a headline, quote, Cornell attacks gang rape accuser as irresponsible for SA claims. So when the New York Post is calling you out, that's, that's what the move is. In statements, you never want to lie. You never want to blame. And you especially, you never ever blame the victim. They're, they're hiding behind shields here. And that's why these Cornell statements are so bad.
