Blaming The Victims: Rape on Campus and Hook-Up Culture with Caroline Heldman

Episode 132 : Media Mayhem

Episode Synopsis

Rape on college campus, hook-up culture and the miscarriage of justice against rape victim, Norma Patricia Esparza is discussed by Occidental College professor Caroline Heldman. Examining how campus security and society works against women at universities, plus the political climate and underlying racism against President Obama, Heldman delivers her insight on this Media Mayhem interview hosted by Allison Hope Weiner.

 

show more

Guest Bio

Caroline Heldman has published in the top journals in her field and co-authored Rethinking Madame President: Are We Ready for a Woman in the White House? Prior to teaching at Occidental College, Heldman taught at Whittier College, Fairfield University, and Rutgers University.

Heldman has also been active in “real world” politics as a congressional staffer, campaign manager, campaign consultant, and political activist. She drove to New Orleans to help rebuild the city after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, and she has returned many times since. Heldman works in a leadership position with Common Ground, a New Orleans-based grassroots relief organization, and is the co-founder of Critical Response, a group that provides volunteers to engage in high-risk rescue efforts during crises and disasters.

Heldman has worked as the general manager for Bio-Energy Systems, a research manager for Consumer Health Sciences, a political reviewer for the Associated Press and as a reporter for KPFK Los Angeles. Heldman’s work has been featured in the New York Times and U.S. News and World Report.

 

show more

Episode Breakdown

00:01 Welcome to Media Mayhem.

02:30 Introducing Caroline Heldman.

02:40 Discussion of the Norma Patricia Esparza homicide case.

06:00 Why has it taken so long for Esparza to come forward about her assault?

08:40 Heldman believes there is truth in the consistency of Esparza’s story.

13:00 Heldman’s concern over campus rape and the way campuses deal with this issue.

16:30 Why is Esparza being charged with homicide after 18 years?

20:20 The low rate of rape reports on college campuses.

22:00 Occidental College and reasons for forming a coalition against rape on campus.

27:00 Students aren’t reporting sexual assault due to insensitive campus police.

31:50 What can be done to raise the rate of rape reports on campus?

35:00 Moving away from rape by changing hook up culture on college campuses.

38:30 Republicans block appointments made by Obama and partisanship driven by racism.

47:00 Thanks and goodbye.

 

show more

Comments

Share

Hosted By

Allison Hope Weiner was a Century City entertainment litigator before she began writing about Hollywood as a journalist. A graduate of Columbia University and the University of Southern California Law Center, she joined the legendary firm of Wyman, Bautzer—where she represented entertainers and corporate media clients.

Past Episodes