The Hunting Ground Documentary focuses on two students that attended the University of North Carolina. After they were sexually assaulted they co-founded an on-campus group, End Rape on Campus. The film shows much more than the devastating struggle of the two main students as they try to navigate the judicial process for their assaults. The documentary shines a light on the college administrators that were far more concerned about the university stats than the victims as people. The film even went as far as to show interviews with college administrators that note the pressure they were under to suppress rape cases to keep their image of a rape free campus.
Thinking about education alone, we know a great deal of socialization and socioeconomic status is required to gain entrance into a four-year university. The competitiveness and the prestige of attending a University are overwhelming. However, the number of incidents of rape on Campuses is just as overwhelming, yet so under-reported. I believe a great deal of gender inequality is what drives the force of students not speaking up. The name-calling and stereotypes associated with all genders create monumental feelings of pressure. Whether of pride, guilt, or shame.
I also believe that when thinking about sexual assault victims and perpetrators we need to consider them socialization models for sex and gender. The way both parties were socialized is going to decide a large part of the incident and the repercussions to follow. The way we form genders when we are young and the stereotypes we are taught has a large part to do with our beliefs, attitudes, and actions.
Aside from focusing on the two main students, it also noted the former star quarterback for the Florida State team, and the incident he was accused of. I appreciated that they included more than just one gender in the documentary. Often women are the only victims portrayed and their side is the only one we hear. It was interesting to hear from male victims of sexual assault. There is so much social stigma tied to rape and many victims, but I believe especially males, feel ashamed.
This film did an outstanding job of helping me understand inequality on a deeper level. It kept me thinking about the privilege of all parties involved and the socialization of all of the parties that were driving their actions, or lack thereof. I felt like it especially succeeded when it tied in the Police Officers interview and we got to hear how even as an officer on Campus he had little control over a rape case. Something as serious as the assault was being controlled by the larger bureaucratic forces at play.
The Hunting Ground was based on extremely sound evidence. The film released a fact sheet that noted, the entire film has been rigorously fact-checked, and is backed up by thousands of pages of documents and corroborating testimony.” It goes on to explain that after a CNN broadcast not even a single claim of defamation has been received not even a request for a correction.
The credibility of this film stretches far and wide. It has won countless awards. Had major supporters, such as Lady Gaga and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. It has been shown at college campuses across the nation as well as in The White House. It went on to have a global impact and, “the film has helped instigate campaigns in the UK, France, and Australia to combat sexual violence on campuses.
Julia's Blog 