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Sexual harassment in Yale That’s why three students complain against the elite university
Is there a misogynist climate on the campus of Eliteuni Yale? Here’s a student talking about grapsch attacks at parties – and why she’s going on with two fellow campaigners against the US college.
They feel sexually harassed and discriminated on campus: Ellie Singer and two other students, Anna McNeil and Ry Walker, have filed a lawsuit against the elite Yale University and nine pure male student fraternities.
The young women accuse the university and the men’s unions that they promote a dangerous environment for women on campus, because there is always sexual harassment there. In addition, women would later be professionally discriminated against by the men’s associations.
The three students therefore want to enforce that something is done against the misogynistic climate on the campus – and the connections must in future also women.
According to a report by CBS , some of the men’s groups have protested against it – for example with posters saying: “We love Yale sluts.” Other men are said to have chanted “No, yes,” on campus, while others are said to have discriminated against black female students. CBS reports, according to the report the men were responsible for the unileity.
However, according to the CBS report, Yale University said it did not comment on the students’ lawsuit. But: All students who become sexually convicted, would have to expect consequences. A lawyer of the men’s connections said according to the transmitter, the allegations are “untenable and unfounded”. One of the plaintive students explains why she sees things differently.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: What bothers you about the male connections on campus?
Singer: These connections organize many student parties, and from the first moment you realize that men are in charge. You own the house where the party takes place. They dominate over alcohol, and there is often a very misogynistic mood.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: How do you do that?
Singer: That starts at the door. A man is standing at the entrance looking at you from top to bottom and deciding on your appearance whether you are in or not. I know many students who have had very unpleasant experiences at such parties. For example, the skirt was lifted or the dress pulled down. Men insult women or rub against them. Such things happen at such parties constantly.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Did you have such experiences?
Singer : The other two plaintiffs and I, all three of us have already been fingered, harassed, sexually harassed. Once a man grabbed me from behind and pulled me to him. I did not know him at all and clearly said no. He also ignored my second no. It was only when I pushed him away from me that he let go of me. I felt very uncomfortable and insecure. It was the last time I was at such a party.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: How did the unileity react?
Singer: She did not take our concerns very seriously. Nobody really listened to us. There seems to be some kind of consensus in Yale that these male fraternities should not be touched. Therefore, we had no choice but to take legal action.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: What do you want to achieve with your lawsuit?
Singer: We want to ensure that women are accepted as fully-fledged members, that they can live in the houses of connections and benefit from their networks. This seems more promising to us than prohibiting the connections. If our complaint is successful, we are probably already finished with our studies. But then we have reached an important goal for the next generation.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Why do women even attend these parties?
Singer: Of course, there are other gatherings as well, but the male connections are a big part of campus life. At first, I did not really know where else I could go to meet people.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Why do not women start their own networks?
Singer: There are also female connections trying to promote women. However, these networks are far from being as powerful and influential as the old, male cliques. These have extremely influential networks that go to the White House. For example, after graduation, men are often invited to job interviews because they have contacts. It starts very early that men help each other to important positions. Women are left out.