The latest bit of idiocy being put forth by our supposed betters in one of our institutions of higher learning? Withholding sex constitutes sexual violence
WTF?!
At first I thought I was reading something posted in The Onion, but when I checked the URL I found it wasn't.
The University of Michigan has redefined the word violence in regards to sexual activity, twisting it and stretching in such ways that it in no way resembles reality.
U-M's definition from their “Stop Abuse” webpage:
Examples of sexual violence include: discounting the partner's feelings regarding sex; criticizing the partner sexually; touching the partner sexually in inappropriate and uncomfortable ways; withholding sex and affection; always demanding sex; forcing partner to strip as a form of humiliation (maybe in front of children), to witness sexual acts, to participate in uncomfortable sex or sex after an episode of violence, to have sex with other people; and using objects and/or weapons to hurt during sex or threats to back up demands for sex.“Discounting the partner's feelings regarding sex” and “criticizing the partner sexually”? Really? Both of those can be considered sexual violence? That they listed those and the first example I quoted at the top before actual coercive or violent sexual acts must lead one to wonder what kind of dope they're smoking at U-M. None of those three can in any way, shape, or form be considered sexually violent acts. They are the acts of jerks, but being a jerk is not a crime anywhere in North America...except at the University of Michigan.
Whether they realize it or not, they've set up conditions so that no matter what, men can be charged with sexual violence. If they have sex, they're 'rapists'. If they don't have sex, they're 'sexually violent perpetrators'. Maybe the easiest way to solve the problem is to ban all rapists, meaning all men from U-M entirely. Then the only ones who can be charged with sexual violence is women. But of course that won't happen because when women commit sexual violence it isn't 'real' sexual violence, whether their victim is male or female.
This is yet another example of why it should be considered child abuse to send your kids to college, particularly the University of Michigan: either your daughter will be sexually assaulted or your son will end up being branded a violent sexual predator. It's a lose-lose situation.
Personally, I think Glenn Reynolds has the right idea.