Rape victim faces possible expulsion from college for violating rights of her rapist

Landen Gambill, a student at the University of North Carolina who was the victim of rape, faces being expelled from the college for publicly speaking out about her sexual assault.

In a story filed by ThinkProgress, because she has chosen to comment, the sophomore is being sent to UNC's 'Honor Court' for being disruptive and intimidating her rapist, which she has not publicly identified.

The story reveals a possible motive of revenge on the part of the university, citing a previous case brought against the school by the former Assistant Dean for under-reporting sexual assaults on campus. Three students stepped foward to provide evidence on behalf of the Dean, one of them being Ms. Gambill.

Citing what she called a failing of the university's reporting system, Gambill stated the college's efforts,

"…were not only offensive and inappropriate, but they were so victim-blaming… They made it seem like my assault was completely my fault."

Gambill suffered mental problems as the result of her rape, including an attempted suicide which the report states that UNC attempted to use against her.

The story cites a report by website 'Jezebel,' which states that Gambill received her first threat from an attorney retained by the college on 29 January 2013,

"Accordingly, you are being charged with the following Honor Code violation(s):

II.C.1.c. – Disruptive or intimidating behavior that willfully abuses, disparages, or otherwise interferes with another (other than on the basis of protected classifications identified and addressed in the University’s Policy on Prohibited Harassment and Discrimination) so as to adversely affect their academic pursuits, opportunities for University employment, participation in University-sponsored extracurricular activities, or opportunities to benefit from other aspects of University Life.

This decision was reached because the evidence provides a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of the Honor Code may have occurred. Please note that being charged with a violation does not imply guilt. It simply means that sufficient evidence of a possible violation exists to warrant a hearing before the Undergraduate Honor Court."

The report states that UNC's 'Honor Code' may include rape under their 'Policy on Prohibited Harassment.' The rapist continues to live on campus, right accross the street from Gambill.

For more information, commentary and relevant links, please read the story at ThinkProgress.

Al Stefanelli

Al is a retired author, writer and journalist. His books include "Free Thoughts - A Collection Of Essays By An American Atheist" and "A Voice Of Reason In An Unreasonable World - The Rise Of Atheism On Planet Earth." Al began writing in 1985, starting with the New York Times. In 1993 he joined a McClatchy newspaper, writing a weekly column for ten years. His writing continues to be widely distributed on the Internet and in print. He also produced and hosted a weekly syndicated radio broadcast from 1995 to 1998, and his work won a North Carolina Journalism award in 1998. Al is the former Georgia State Director for American Atheists, Inc., and served on the Board of Directors for "The Clergy Project." He is also a former Southern Baptist Pastor, having served two churches and as pulpit supply for three counties. Currently, he writes part time for The God Discussion, co-hosts the Internet radio programs, "The God Discussion Show" and "Reap Sow Radio." Al lives in the Atlanta suburb of Peachtree City, GA.

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