Tuesday’s Daily Evergreen contained a news brief about an alleged rape that occurred during the weekend. Hidden on Page 3, this article was easily overlooked. However, this report cannot be ignored. Rape is a reality everywhere, on our campus and in our world. The very fact that the victim came forward and reported the crime is commendable; such actions take courage and support. Now the Pullman Police and WSU need to do their job. On our campus, rape often goes unreported, and in some cases the statistics do not add up. In 2002, three official rapes were reported by WSU, while the residence halls reported that five rapes allegedly occurred, according to an article on the Access Northwest Web site.

In 2005, there were seven rapes and 29 assaults reported by WSU, according to the Cougar Safety Guide. This guide is a mandatory publication for every college campus, allowing students to be aware of the sexual violence that occurs in their area.

For many women, speaking out about sexual assault is stigmatized and painful, because they have to relive the emotional trauma they suffered while testifying to authorities. Across the nation, in North Carolina, the upsetting allegations of rape charges brought against three Duke University lacrosse players are being dropped.

There are a few key factors that compose the meaning of such a case in our society: race, sex and violence. Every generation has the hope for itself and the future – that things will get better and life improve for the children. The privileged, white male students of Duke make up a part of the next generation’s leaders. Apparently a racist, sexist and violent generation. Not only is this a case about hate crimes, it’s about class.

There are still many questions surrounding the actual events of that night. Some reporters worry about the reputations of the men involved in the case, speculating that their names will never be redeemed even if they are innocent. But they’re wealthy kids with powerful parents who can pay for the best attorneys and depend on nepotism to get them jobs after graduation. These guys will not be the first group to benefit because of their money. In this world, money does equal power and status, and exempts people from being held accountable for their actions. Should the 20-year-old woman who was allegedly raped near the WSU campus last week worry about these biases as she pursues justice? Will these factors diminish the alleged crime?

The Duke rape case raises many questions about our culture and implications of how rape will be handled at WSU. Let’s make sure local rape cases are handled appropriately so women are no longer afraid to report this crime.