UConn comedy sketch makes light of rape, causes outrage

(NECN: Jeff Valin, Storrs, Conn.) – There it outrage at the University of Connecticut. The anger is targeted at the student-run tv station.

They aired a comedy sketch that many on campus say makes light of rape.
Several members of the women’s group at UConn say the sketch isn’t funny.

It’s a three-minute plus sketch showing a woman trying to use a code blue emergency phone, fearing she is about to be raped, but the respondent turns on her.

“It’s a disgusting portrayal of the rape culture that is so accepted in our society these days, and on this campus and college campuses all across the U.S. It was vile, it wasn’t funny and it was just offensive,” said one woman.

A meeting was held Wednesday night over the sketch. It was a gathering of about 90 concerned students, including several men and some rape victims.

UC-TV didn’t want to talk. They said they have no statement to make other than the statement on their website.

“We apologize for any frustration or harm this content has caused. We are working towards a more careful screening process, as well as a review of our broadcast policies that will prevent this situation from occurring again.”

The UConn president issued the following statement:

“When something crosses a line between just being plain old bad taste to something that is deeply offensive, it’s important that students speak up and talk about that.”
Jeff Valin has more.