A video that aired on UConn’s student-run television station is causing some students to plan a protest and others to speak out, saying it promotes a “rape culture.”
The episode of the comedy show “Shenanigans” has been pulled from the site, but Gawker posted the video, which it calls the “horrible comedy sketch about rape that has UConn in uproar.”
[GRAPHIC LANGUAGE WARNING] It shows a student running to an emergency phone for help and some vulgar language in response from the automated service.
The video has prompted some students to plan a protest over it, according to the Hearst Connecticut Media Group.
UCTV’s homepage, as of Wednesday afternoon, was a statement about the episode.
“We apologize for any frustration or harm the respective video clip has caused and all of us here at UCTV have learned from this event,” UCTV posted on its Web site. “We are reviewing our Broadcast Policies and Procedures to see whether there is more we can do in the future to prevent a similar situation from occurring again. Please keep in mind that the views expressed on any UCTV program do not reflect the opinions of UCTV, its board of directors, its members, or the University of Connecticut.”
A UConn senior wrote a column for the Hartford Courant, complaining that the video mocks sexual assault survivors and contributes to a rape culture.
University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst said she has not seen the video, but it's important to foster a culture of respect and understanding on a college campus.
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“When something crosses a line between just being plain old bad taste to something that is deeply offensive, it's important that students speak up and talk about that,” Herbst wrote. “It looks like the station has taken the video down and apologized to the students it may have hurt and a healthy discussion is taking place in its wake about the seriousness of sexual assault. That's not a bad outcome."
