While I was watching local news the night before I left, I was able to catch a story on an ex Maryknoll girl’s volleyball coach who sexually assaulted an intermediate student volleyball player. This wasn’t the first time this happened too, as the suspect, who is 28 years old, has also been suspected of sexually assaulting the same student in November of 2007. The second incident happened on January 2nd.
At first, I just thought how this just couldn’t be good, because the girl is 13 years old. But then the story continued, and how in the November incident, the girl was sexually assaulted at the girl’s parents’ home. And for it to happen again in January, I started to think it was consensual, and when things didn’t go right, she decided to press charges. Yes, if he did sexually assault a 13 year old girl, he’s wrong. I also think it’s wrong if it was consensual. But if it was consensual, it was also the girl’s fault as well. The girl told her parents after the second incident, which could have been the time things started to go sour. Then again, everything I’m saying is speculation, and it’s just that. But think about it. It starts to make sense.
The suspect’s lawyer issued a statement saying that the suspect had no previous problems with the law, and being tha tthis is his first, to keep an open mind and not immediately say that he is guilty.
This is just a sad case no matter how you cut it.
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January 14th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I’m not sure your suspicion of it being some kind of jilted-teenager revenge thing because it happened twice is particularly well thought out… Look up “rape” on Wikipedia (or a more reputable source if you prefer, it will agree) and read the three sections beginning with “Effect of rape”. While it’s worth mentioning that you’re stumbling into the “victim blame” realm, the more important takeaway is that rape, among other things, plays psychological hell with the victim. Difficulty in reporting a rape, particularly for a child, is hardly uncommon. Add to that that the offender in this case is a figure of both trust and authority, and no, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the victim had a hard time telling someone about it.
It’s possible your suspicion is correct, of course. There’s no way to discount that without more facts, and jumping to the conclusion that he did rape her is as much of a disservice to him as what you suggest of her. But I guess that’s what bugs me the most — there’s almost no information about this. You’re casting suspicion on the girl based on the barest information, when that same information can just as clearly point to an extremely well-documented psychological response. Based on next to nothing, you’ve imagined an elaborate scenario where she watched “Poison Ivy” one too many times. Based on what we know, I’d say that’s exactly as likely as a scenario where she was raped, went into a state of shock and/or denial until she was raped again, at which point she snapped out of it and told someone. That makes exactly as much “sense” as what you concocted.
My point is that there’s no conclusion to be made here, so why make any at all? Pinning a conspiracy on a potential rape victim is godawful, as is destroying the coach’s life based on an allegation that may not turn out to be true. One or the other of them is deeply in the wrong here, but my suggestion is to wait until you know which one before you crucify away.
January 15th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Hi Mike. I see your point, and I am not in any way trying to side with either the victim or suspect. At the same time, you are under the assumption that “sexual assault” is “rape”. This could be the case, but sexual assault could also be a pat on the rear or inappropriate behavior.
If it is rape, then I would agree with your first paragraph. The victim would have the hardest time trying to figure out what to do, whether she is scared, confused, etc.
There isn’t enough information about this case, and I’m just giving out another opinion on what could happen, just as you gave the opinion that the sexual assault that occurred was rape and only rape. The information given can be viewed in many ways, but that is something I ended up thinking about, because I’m sure most of the public will think the suspect is automatically guilty and that the victim is 100% guilt-free.
You have to also keep in mind that the girl is 13 years old. It is not unheard of that girls that young have sexual encounters. They are young. They are inexperienced. They might want to explore. She might have felt comfortable with him, and maybe she took interest in him. We don’t know that. But we also don’t know if he raped her or if it was a simple pat on the rear, or even consensual acts like I suggested (again, as another opinion). As you can see, there are a lot of things that can arise from the information given. I feel that my opinion is just an opinion…and I’ve stated that in the article. But it’s just another thing to think about.
I also feel I can provide my opinion just as freely as you can provide that you think it’s the victim that has been raped (the most extreme of sexual assault cases…though not uncommon). I didn’t make a conclusion, just a sepeculation. You’re right when you stated “My point is that there’s no conclusion to be made here, so why make any at all?”. The fact that you made the immediate “conclusion” that the sexual assault was rape goes against your statement above, and automatically giving favor to the victim and blame to the suspect. No offense, but it seems that you are guilty of crucifying the suspect with limited information.
January 17th, 2008 at 8:24 am
if he initiated it or she did doesnt matter, for the simple fact that she is 13 and he’s 28. her age makes it illegal period. he shouldnt have done anything sexually at all to her whether it was sex or something else. and i know that he’s done and said inappropriate things to underage girls he coached before this also.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I know this girl at my school, she is my friend. I’ve heard stories about this and it is really hard. We are trying our hardest to cheer her up.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
wow okay first of all she got kicked out of maryknoll for getting in a fight, she smokes, drinks, and she let him have sex with her! you people don’t know anything. Doesn’t seem so innocent anymore? Now my friend said she goes to Stevenson. A lot of my friends know her from volleyball and they say that the coach was really nice and wasn’t he the one to turn himself in? haha wow. I think it’s the girls fault.