(Image Source: Sigma Phi Epsilon)

BY LAUREN ZIMA AND EVAN BUSH


Who would you like to rape? That was the question at a University of Vermont fraternity -- The answer from the fraternity’s national organization ---  a shut down.


CNN explains.


“It’s ordering the chapter closed. It’s being investigated after a survey showed up online asking frat brothers who they would rape, if they could.”


The fraternity was Sigma Phi Epsilon. NECN has that survey -- and how students reacted.


JILL GLAVAN: “Seemingly normal. Except for its final question, ‘If I could rape someone, who would it be?’”
STUDENT 1: “Rape should not be taken lightly. It shouldn’t just be a question after your name and your age and your favorite memory.”
STUDENT 2: “Sexism isn’t just an issue for women to be fighting against -- sexism is a blight on our society, and we all have an interest in fighting against it.”


Those students were part of a group protesting on campus after the university suspended the chapter -- they said that wasn’t harsh enough, and they wanted the chapter disbanded. The Vermont Cynic has the details.

“ … a group of around 200 gathered outside of Bailey/Howe Library to protest … As of Thursday, [an] online petition had received 3,141 virtual signatures ...”



And a writer for Gather sided with those students.

“What the fraternity is saying with this survey is that it is not only okay for its men to rape women, but it is actually encouraging them to do so. … Rape is not a word that should be thrown around lightly.”



But now, the fraternity’s national organization has closed the chapter’s doors, though it did say its investigation showed that the survey was not officially sanctioned by the Vermont chapter -- that it was distributed among only some members. Still, a writer for The Stir says the survey should be put into even larger context.


“Gotta give them credit for doing their best damage control here … Regardless, the situation is a frightening example of just how dismissive and disrespectful some people -- especially many young people -- are about rape and sexual assault. … it's a HUGE problem in the U.S. right now. One in five women have been sexually assaulted, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.”
 

That survey was released Wednesday. The Sig Ep chapter has the option to return to campus in the future if both its national organization and the university approve.