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Is a Major University Threatening Action Against a Student for ‘Intimidating’ Her Alleged Rapist?

Feb. 26, 2013 1:23pm Erica Ritz

UNC Student Landen Gambill Claims PUnishment her for Intimidating Her Rapist

(Photo: WRAL-TV)

A sophomore at the University of North Carolina claims she’s facing disciplinary action by the school after speaking out about her alleged rapist, a fellow student on campus and her ex-boyfriend.

Landen Gambill was one of 64 students named in a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights filed by the former University of North Carolina assistant dean of students and four students claiming the university pressured officials into underreporting cases of sexual assault.

Now Gambill says that, in publicizing her story and speaking to the press, UNC claims she’s “intimidating” her rapist and violating the school’s honor code.

She purportedly wrote this message on Facebook after receiving the violation alert, explaining her situation:

(Photo: Facebook via Andrea Pino)

The Huffington Post was able to speak with Gambill and the school about the allegations:

“Obviously, I’m afraid. I never meant to make anyone mad at me [by speaking out],” Gambill told HuffPost. “I’m mostly surprised at just how crazy it is, that they’re willing to charge me with something just because my rapist is feeling uncomfortable.”

UNC spokesperson Susan Hudson said in an email the university couldn’t comment about specifics in Gambill’s case because of federal privacy laws, but Hudson insisted this was in no way retaliation by the university.

Student attorneys general have the discretion to choose which cases should be considered by the court, Hudson said, and administrators “may not encourage or prevent” them from filing charges in a case. “Given that these charging decisions are made by student attorneys general and not by campus administrators, a claim of retaliation by the university would be without merit,” Hudson said.

The student attorney general’s office told HuffPost they were prohibited from discussing the details of any specific case. [Emphasis added]

(Photo: WRAL-TV)

But Gambill says school officials didn’t take her claims seriously from the beginning. She pressed charges with the Honor Court after breaking up with her allegedly abusive boyfriend, and says she was greeted with questions like: “Landen, as a woman, I know that if that had happened to me, I would’ve broken up with him the first time it happened. Will you explain to me why you didn’t?’”

“They implied that I was emotionally unstable and couldn’t be telling the truth because I had attempted suicide,” she recalled.

According to local media, UNC no longer uses the student-run Honor Court to handle cases of sexual assault.

However, Gambill’s story is still inspiring outrage at UNC, and social media is already rallying behind her.

(Photo: WRAL-TV)

Carey Hanlin, the editor-in-chief of the progressive UNC student magazine Campus BluePrint, posted this editorial in support of the sophomore student:

…By telling Landen Gambill that she could face expulsion for saying that she was raped, by denying the allegations that administrators ignored the best interests of sexual assault survivors, and by implying that it is not acceptable to challenge the school system on its inability to help survivors of sexual assault, UNC fails to be a beacon [of change]. The great “light on the hill” remains dark.

Many are specifically asking why “student attorneys” are the ones making potentially life-changing decisions in the Honor Court, allowing UNC administrators to disavow any responsibility from the case.

It’s unclear if Gambill has reached out to police regarding any rape incidents. Though she has declined to identify her alleged attacker by name, the fact that he was a longtime boyfriend should make him fairly easy to identify for local authorities.

In the meantime, UNC has launched an internal review of its policies, particularly in light of the recent claim filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.

WRAL-TV has more on the story, including an interview with Gambill:

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Comments (207)

JMorcan
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 4:10pm
Evasion of facts, rationality and responsibility is how repressive regimes everywhere subjugate their victims. When it reaches the level at which a rape victim must fear reprisal from authorities, we are in need of a second revolution.

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- Free77Man
  Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:45pm
  So you are positive she was raped?
  
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Sgt_Rock
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 4:06pm
This is easy to resolve; You immediately make it policy within the University of Carolina system that ALL sexual assaults are reported to the police…without exception. None of this Honor Court crap! WTF is honorable about sexual assault? Every case is investigated by the police, evidence is gathered by a qualified sexual assault trained nurse and if probable cause exists the perpetrator is arrested and booked. Universities shelter the perpetrators and always have. The realities of sexual assault on campus are this, a female is more likely to be sexually assaulted by a fellow student than by some ne’er do well, slinking onto campus from the outside. In fact, my guess would be that more rapes occur during drunkfest frat parties than any other place on campus, they are just under reported or handled through the “honor court.” Imagine if some those idiots were actually held accountable…

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FROTHYDISCHARGE
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:58pm
Come on Blaze. Just perusing this story it stunk like a poop convention.

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dumpsterdog
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:56pm
Not the least bit surprised.
If the liberal school had it’s way, she would be ductaped in an Iranian jail.

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yoshik
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:44pm
Why shoot to kill is a valid suggestion. Never mind wounding. Blow them all into the next millennium.

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Bill Wallace
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:38pm
There is more to this story than being said.

From what I gather, she is dating a guy, long term, but claims that while they were dating, she was raped repeatedly, and never spoke up until after a breakup.

I am guessing that the breakup was probably because the long term boyfriend went to a frat party and took part with some other co-ed, or co-eds, and she now feels sleighted. Best way to get back is claim rape.

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AFRETVET
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:22pm
What’s the problem? Didn’t she have a whistle, pee her self, explain that she was on her period and have an ink pen? OH I KNOW, she did not go out on the balconey and fire off a couple of blast from her shotgun.

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Myth
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:21pm
HOLY COW, is this article telling me the school doesn’t bring the police in when a Violent Crime is reported/committed? The the school attempted to mediate this case itself? WHAT?? I would think the school criminally negligent. Don’t try to tell me “the students” handle cases like this, it’s school property. Sheesh, mad, world gone mad.
Quote:
“UNC no longer uses the student-run Honor Court to handle cases of sexual assault.”
…”Many are specifically asking why “student attorneys” are the ones making potentially life-changing decisions in the Honor Court, allowing UNC administrators to disavow any responsibility from the case.”

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nomsain
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:11pm
HMMM,…What we need to know is was it legitimate or illegitimate?

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jhpackard
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:10pm
“Honor code”? That language is Orwellian.

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lessoneleg
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:04pm
I must say though, the young lady in question is pressing the wrong buttons on a criminal action with which take time. She does seem to be trying to exert a political cause for women’s rights into a criminal proceedings where both parties, the accused and the victim both deserve time for a trial to occur.
And as usual a University situation where they believe they can upsurp the Legal Proceedings with in-house Kangaroo Court. Who has given this belief that a School can impose any sort of legal system outside of the legal system? I do disagree with the young lady making a public statement that could possibly harm the university for future applicants. Where she is no doubt disappointed with the speed of a legal action. But that’s between the State, and the two parties involves.
We all deserve our chance in court. But until such time as you stand before the Judge & Jury. The young lady should keep her big mouth shut the school and the school should keep it’s big mouth shut telling her about expulsions or reprimands. It’s a legal matter that takes time. And until such time as this young man is deemed “guilty” he is still legal provided the belief of innocent.

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HYPNOTOAD
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:00pm
Typical ultra-lib mindset of the leftist universities. Protect the perverts and deviants and demonize good people. If you send your kids to these so called schools, you have only yourself to blame.

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Kramer900
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:56pm
Is the accused rapist black, by any chance??? hat wouyld explain why they are proecting him! Effing dirtbag!

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- kiwiburgerwithcheese
  Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:53pm
  In this case I doubt it completely….this girl’s story simply doesn’t pass the sniff test….it sounds like a simple case of an ex out to get her ex-boyfriend for some reason….this wouldn’t even make it to court I’d bet.
  
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Lumen
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:56pm
I already know how this is going to sound. I am not trying to be a jerk about this issue but I got to ask..

From the first side, I am severely confused by this incident. I live here in West Virginia, just north of the Carolinas, and I am really sure that Rape is a federal crime here. I am also sure that you are in the same country as me, which means it should be a federal crime for you as well. Why didnt you get the law involved at all in this and get his **** thrown in prison for 1 – 10 years for felony crime(s) how ever many would have applied? I am pretty sure rape evidence gathered at time of the rape is pretty good. Skin under the nails, bruising, forced intercource tearing and clothing possibly ripped and such.

Now, from the other side, Unless you press charges you can not just treat a person badly because you say they did something. The college is treating you both equal, and the college does not see that he raped you. You are accusing him of PRISON type crimes, and strangely not actually getting law involved. So all the college sees is that BOY and GIRL, and GIRL is intimidating BOY, and they are telling you to stop it. If what you said is true, than convict him and get him a orenge outfit.

Else stop slandering him. Keep in mind that you need to prove his guilt in a court of law or what you say about him just sounds like girlfriend got mad at boyfriend and broke up. Now she wants him to be unhappy.

This will go nowhere. Sorry.

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- NightofaThousand
  Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:43pm
  Rape isn’t a crime under West Virginia state law? Wow.
  
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Arshloch
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:50pm
If there is any honor available, some of the other students would pay the ‘rapist’ a visit and check him for hemorrhoids, with a cattle probe.

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jorart
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:50pm
It’s her fault; she should’ve peed on herself!

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lessoneleg
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:48pm
No university should have any court unto its own leveling of so called justice. Who represents whom in a Kangaroo Court of University justice, a packed house of socialists?
A crime was committed, not some putting up a banner calling out ridiculous On-Campus festivities. This was a crime, and a police action was initiated to arrest and take a person to trial. It has nothing to do with a Dean of the Campus or the President of the Campus. It’s a criminal action and the University has no bearing to make any comment or threat of any kind towards the young lady.
In fact, its a form of harrassment to me that the School only wishes to quiet down any negative comments so that it’s business interests don’t get affected by a legal action of Rape & Assault. The young lady’s lawyer should sue the School for harrassment, and the Dean and President held accountable for threatening this young lady in such a difficult time.
We all know that the wheels of justice takes time. Especially to get into court. Until Court hears anything the School should keep its big bloody mouth shut. It’s a criminal activity issue.

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NightofaThousand
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:46pm
Name him. File a civil suit. Find out what his connection is to the athletic department or the rest of the administration.

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Sharon Rose
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:40pm
There used to be an old saying in the 60′s :There is no such thing as rape because a woman can run faster than a man can with his pants down~~~~~~~~that is if women still wear dresses and men still wear pants.

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DissenterKnight
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:38pm
When you send your kids to college, make sure that they understand that Campus Security’s first responsibility is to the school; not the legal system. There’s no shortage of schools, including two of my alma maters, that use Campus Security as a means to hide sexual assaults. While you’re at it, remember this as well; if you’re the parent of a daughter, the pamphlet that you’ll be shown detailing how rare rapes are on campus shows REPORTED events. If reporting stops with campus security -if no law enforcement agency answerable to the public ever becomes involved- the event isn’t actually reported and won’t be investigated.

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FLOWNOVERandFORGOTTEN
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:36pm
Since when does being a college student protect you from prosecution? It’s no wonder so many loony libs are lifetime college students. It’s tough out here in the real world where your actions have consequences.

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USATrucker
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:36pm
Now, I don’t have much college experience, just a year at a satalite campus of Ohio State, so I have no idea what Honor Court is or how it works, but it seems to me that if this guy did rape her, she should go to the police so he can go to a real court, with real judges, real attorneys, and real jail house ‘shower lovin’.

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:35pm
I’m so tired of hearing this “survivor” stuff. If she was a victim, she was a VICTIM. “survivor” makes it sound like she did something heroic by being a victim.
Okay: She survived being a victim. She is a survivor. But identifying the victim as the survivor, make the perp walking free a what? He is surviving the ordeal too. Is the perp also a survivor?
And this ‘participation badge’ for playing demeans VICTIMS. It also encourages nut jobs to claim “survivor” by fabricating a story of being a victim. It happens.
The whole thing is further demeaning.

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ColoradoMaverick
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:34pm
It’s liberal universities that tend to sexualize women and treat them this way. It’s very typical for them to allow their children to explore their sexuality without regard to women’s rights.

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RestoreCapitalism
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:34pm
Everyone is now expected to live in fear and say nothing because it might not be politically correct. They keep adding to the long list of what isn’t PC.

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