To the Editor:
I am writing to express my dismay at the carelessness exhibited by the press in exposing the identity of the SHU coed who was the victim of assault at her home in Fairfield early Monday morning. There was a time when reporters would bend over backwards to protect a rape victim and keep her—or his—name out of the papers. Sadly, it seems that kind of empathy and consideration no longer exists. Instead, by identifying her as a SHU student and the block where she lives, you guaranteed that she would be quickly identified and much discussed. Our spokesperson specifically appealed to you not to publish revealing details about her identity, but you chose to do so anyway.
Today’s technology all but guarantees that reporters—and all of us, really—can find out pretty much anything we want to know. But just because we can do it does not mean we should. By exposing this young woman in public, you have contributed to an already unbearable burden. You have demonstrated a complete lack of humanity, and you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Mason, PhD
Assistant Dean of Students for Wellness
Director of Counseling
Sacred Heart University