The culture of seduction

Six rape charges surfaced last week against the University of Colorado's football team -- an institution already being critically examined for using sex as a recruiting tool. Six rape charges are shocking, as was Colorado coach Gary Barnett's response -- verbally criticizing an alleged rape victim. \nBarnett, who was suspended for his demeaning comments, has come under fire throughout his coaching career for using sex to help recruit players. But the University of Colorado is not an exception -- recruiting players through the appeal of women is a tactic widely practiced at colleges across the country. According to a Feb. 19 article in USA Today, many schools have "hostess committees" to greet prospective athletes. Texas Tech, for example, has a group of more than 70 female "Raider Recruiters" who "bring the best to Texas Tech" by "making sure the recruits feel welcome." Other groups vary in their levels of "involvement" with recruits. Vanderbilt's "Gold Stars" are barred from going off campus with recruits -- which often comes as a surprise to high school visitors. Gold Stars president Channa Jones explains, "You will hear the guys say, 'Oh, where's my girl?' I don't think they realize it's inappropriate. At that age, they sometimes think they're the cream of the crop and this is what they deserve." \nRegardless of the punishment handed down to Barnett and any convicted players, it is unlikely it will have any large impact on the root problem. Sexual assault among male-dominated groups is a rampant problem in our country, not only in athletics, but in the military, fraternities and other gender-bonded groups. \nLegislation and criminal punishments will not change what is an accepted culture in our society. The groups involved, like football teams, are money-driven and will not change a method that works. The men involved are loyal to each other, and won't speak as individuals against the problem as a whole.\nThe commonly accepted "boys will be boys" ideology -- men are unable to control their sexual urges and inappropriate behaviors in such heated situations -- also feeds to this widespread facet of sexual assault, leaving women responsible for defending themselves. \nBut this is unacceptable. Revealing clothing, intoxication, flirtation -- none are acceptable excuses for sexual assault. Men are not wild animals, and testosterone is no excuse for inappropriate and disrespectful behavior. A woman should not have to assume she is unsafe among a group of men.\nFor incidents such as Colorado's to finally cease, there has to be a societal change. The preferential treatment toward male athletes needs to stop, and men need to step up and take responsibility for themselves. They are humans, not barbarians, and they should be treated as such when it comes to their behavior with the opposite sex. The "wall of silence" must be broken -- men need to hold their teammates, brothers and friends accountable for their actions. Those who know what goes on, but remain silent, are just as guilty. \nWithout this movement, rape, sexual assault, abuse and hostile attitudes toward victims will continue. Whether it happens to your sister, girlfriend or young woman sitting next to you in class, it is unacceptable, and it needs to change.