Dear Editor:
Re: Teen Girl Allegedly Assaulted at Unsanctioned Grad Party, March 2 front-page story.
The headline for your story is misleading and does a disservice to the community you represent.
The fact is there was an assault on a young woman – no allegations, just fact.
Furthermore, it is disheartening to read the school district representative’s quotes relating to the situation where the assault occurred (“Michaud said the school district strongly encourages families to speak to their teens about only attending officially sanctioned grad events, which the school makes parents aware of”).
This suggests that she became a victim because she attended an unsanctioned grad event. There is no mention of outrage over the fact that this person became a victim simply because of her sex.
The real discussion that parents should be having with their children (and peers) is that it is wrong for this to be happening in our society, what is the root cause, and what can be done to stop it. Focusing the majority of your coverage on the situation where the assault occurred rather than the real crime and its causes is detrimental to this discussion and an insult to the victim. She did no wrong by attending the event. Her parents did no wrong in allowing her to go. She deserves more from her community.
Phil Dupasquier
North Vancouver
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