Last week, a jury ruled that Rolling Stone’s “A Rape on Campus” contained actual malice against former Associate Dean Nicole Eramo. This brings near closure to a two-year ordeal for Eramo, who was met with messages such as “You let us down!” and “Stop protecting them” on the doors of Peabody Hall, among many other professional hardships. The jury’s decision validates what people who knew Eramo always believed: she did not deserve to be harmed by such a reckless disregard for the truth.
During the months leading up to the trial, Eramo’s supporters offered lengthy testaments of the work she has done on Grounds. In Nov. 2014, students and community supporters published a set of letters in The Cavalier Daily advocating for Eramo. A trauma counselor at the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center spoke highly of her “superb” ability to help victims of sexual assault, both in her administrative duties and in the compassion she personally extends to survivors. Others offered very positive individual experiences with Eramo after dealing with rape and abuse crises, which starkly contrasted with Sabrina Rubin Erdely’s irresponsible — and legally defamatory — depiction of Eramo as cold-hearted and apathetic.
Eramo experienced a period of personal and professional isolation that nobody, much less someone who has devoted her career to helping survivors of sexual assault, deserves. Though Rolling Stone has already been tried and condemned in the court of public opinion, we are relieved to see a court of law come to the same conclusion. Looking forward, we hope this decision promotes responsible journalism, especially regarding sexual assault.
Read More
BURSTEIN: Federal workforce cuts target Virginia — and Youngkin’s ressponse falls short
By Carly Burstein | 4 hours agoForcing employees to choose between uprooting their families or losing their livelihoods is not just callous — it is economically reckless.
HUYNH: Virginia’s proposed ‘whippets’ law is laughable
By Viet Huynh | YesterdayAs people continue to be harmed by nitrous oxide abuse, Virginians will see this new law as the ineffective, ultimately harmful policy that it is.
EDITORIAL: We can demand more of our university presidents
By Editorial Board | YesterdayWe hope for greater transparency because for the principles of solidarity in this statement to be enacted and effective, stakeholders must be treated as partners in resistance.
