The past two years have brought unprecedented public focus on the issue of sexual assault on campuses. The issue is hardly new, but a combination of factors -- more women speaking out about being attacked, media attention, heightened scrutiny from the White House -- has changed the discussion. The reaction to "A Rape on Campus," an article published in Rolling Stone last month, reflected this changed environment.
The University of Virginia, where the article was set, saw numerous public protests and private soul-searching about fraternity culture. Students, alumni, trustees and others said that the article -- in which an anonymous woman called Jackie recounted being gang-raped at a fraternity party -- rang true to them. Women spoke of being routinely treated in sexist ways at the fraternity events that are a prominent part of campus social life. Many also spoke of feeling uncertain or doubtful that the university cared.
Administrators vowed reforms. Students, faculty and administrators at many other colleges -- especially those with large Greek systems -- discussed the article. Many publications (including Inside Higher Ed) wrote about the article and the intense reaction.
On Friday, after several articles elsewhere raised questions about some details of the article, Rolling Stone published a note to readers in which it said it now had doubts about the story.
Read more at Inside Higher Ed: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/12/08/campus-advocates-sexual-assault-issues-fear-impact-rolling-stone-article-boosted