Facebook Avengers: How One Group Of College Students Made Justice Happen

February 15, 2008     Posted in News

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By Ccandysarao

The man in this picture is a piece of shit rapist.

And now, the whole world knows it.

When Morgan Shaw-Fox forced oral sex on fellow Lewis & Clark University student Helen Hunter, she had the option of staying silent. After all, he was a popular and well-regarded student. They were alone when he did it. And criminal rape cases – especially cases of date rape, or cases where the victim consented to a certain degree of sexual activity before saying the word “no” – are notoriously brutal and hard to win.

The burden of proof is always on the accuser, who is frequently subjected to vicious assaults on her character by defense attorneys and the media. Prosecuting a rapist can be nearly as traumatic as the experience of sexual assault.

So, yeah. For understandable reasons, many, if not most survivors don’t report being assaulted. Many, if not most rapists are never brought to justice.

But Helen Hunter did not choose silence.

She wrote an anonymous letter to her school paper. The letter got people talking, and several other women came forth to say that they’d had similar experiences. Helen Hunter gathered her courage and told her friends that she’d authored the letter, and that she’d been talking about Morgan Shaw Fox.

One of these women – specifically, an amazing human being by the name of Calli Bishop – figured that Morgan (whose Facebook profile listed “copin’ a feel” as one of his interests) did not deserve the gift of privacy. She wanted everyone to know precisely what he’d done, and she saw no point in going through any legal hassle in order to make that happen. So she created a Facebook group called, yes, “Morgan Shaw-Fox Is A Piece Of Shit Rapist.”

The students at Lewis & Clark started talking about the Facebook group.

The Facebook story was picked up by the local news.

The local news story was picked up by the Internet.

Morgan Shaw-Fox is now internationally known. There are literally thousands of know his name, his face, and his crime. He’s experiencing the sort of public shaming normally reserved for victims who take their rapists to trial.

Lewis & Clark eventually found Shaw-Fox guilty and handed out an insultingly lenient punishment – one semester of suspension, whereas rape survivors can deal with the trauma caused by their assaults for the rest of their lives – but that’s not the point. His chances of being alone with a woman again have substantially decreased, just because a few girls decided to speak up.

And, of course, as the story becomes more widely known, the odds become higher and higher that other survivors will use this tactic, thereby empowering themselves and making the world a much less cozy place for would-be sexual predators.

Calli Bishop and Helen Hunter are heroes. I do not exaggerate when I say that, at any moment when I am feeling hopeless or disappointed or just plain sad, I can think of these women and experience overwhelming, radiant gratitude and joy. They make me feel better about the future of the planet.

So many people fail to recognize the power of their voices and the strength of their communities. These women are examples of the victories we can win by supporting each other and using our creativity to set things right.

They’re living proof that it is not impossible, or even difficult, for ordinary people to speak out against injustice. Whether you’re blogging, staging an old-fashioned protest with your friends, or even using Facebook, you can make yourself heard – and, thanks to the Internet, you can reach a wider audience than ever.

So, what are you waiting for? Stop playing Scrabulous. Go out and save the world.

15 Comments on "Facebook Avengers: How One Group Of College Students Made Justice Happen"

  1. Christine says:
    Fri, 15th Feb 200810:43 am 

    You know, I read the entire article that you linked to and read the entire encounter that she retold. And I have to say that she could have stopped. But she relented and consented to it, albeit reluctantly. If she really did not want it to happen, she could have stopped herself and him. But she didn't. She brought some of it on herself in this situation. She didn't say no when he asked her to take off her clothes. She agreed. The fault is not entirely on him. She could have put her knee to his balls and she could have left. But she didn't. It's situations like this that make me want to call people fucking idiots. What did she expect was going to happen? They would sit down and have a nice chat? Honestly.

  2. Rose says:
    Fri, 15th Feb 20081:23 pm 

    Obviously you havent been in her situation, because did you ever stop to think that "kneeing him in the balls" in that moment isn't as easy as it sounds? She obviously felt pressured and was probably scared at what he might do if she tried to do something like that, so she unwillingly gave in. Have some respect for her and take your nasty comments somewhere else.

  3. Cathy says:
    Fri, 15th Feb 20081:41 pm 

    Thank you Rose… Christine reread the article, reread what you posted and ask yourself…Why is it so many rape victims never confront their rapist or press charges? It's because of people like you

  4. Dasha says:
    Fri, 15th Feb 20081:47 pm 

    yeah….. i know no means no, but she didnt really say no the night it happened and kidnof put herself in a dangerous situation. I do feel for her though, i know its easy to get sucked into those things, but we have a responsibility to make sure that we stay clear minded enough to make good choices. Alcohol can be a recipe for trouble, especially with the history they had. I do feel for her and hope she can move on in a positive way soon.

    Another alarming aspect of this incident is that Shaw-Fox was guilty until proven innocent. I don't get a good vibe from him either, but "innocent until proven guilty" is that way for a reason. Even if he had never done anything his reputation is tarnished for a lifetime.

  5. Dasha says:
    Fri, 15th Feb 20081:50 pm 

    it can be compared to walking alone at night in a not so safe area. If you get mugged, its still a crime for sure, but you definitely could have prevented it yourself. Sometimes we have to learn through crappy circumstances. =[

  6. Christine says:
    Sat, 16th Feb 200810:05 am 

    Excuse me? People like me? You don’t even know me so don’t assume things. I’ve heard enough stories about rape and murder that I can completely burst down into tears for a victim. Don’t assume that because of this one situation that I react the same for every situation. I’m not an idiot and don’t want women to be raped.

    So, did anyone actually read her recounting of what happened with Shaw-Fox? She went over there knowing full well that he was an asshole. She took off her own clothes willingly. She agreed, even though a little reluctantly to perform oral sex. It wasn’t until he was being rough that she started to really object. Of course he probably got the wrong idea if he was drunk and horny. I’d get the wrong idea too if I asked someone to take their clothes off and they did. You can’t expect someone who has been drinking to have the greatest judgment, on both sides. But she obviously was not drunk enough to remember the events with some clarity. Unless she was add libbing. Which is possible. Therefore she could have said no. Just saying ‘I want to still be a virgin’ does not mean, ‘I do not want to do anything sexual.’

    I’m all for women standing up for themselves and being brave and I respect any woman who does so. She gets a point from me for saying that she wasn’t comfortable with the situation. However, this situation is not the worst situation I have ever heard of. She DID NOT do all that she could do in this situation to stop it from happening. Pushing his stomach is probably not going to say much to him other than keep going to be honest. She barely did anything. If she was really that uncomfortable, that unsure, that upset, she should have fought more.

    Perhaps this shows something wrong with society and not women. If she doesn’t fight back, is it because society hasn’t given her enough tools to fight back or society has just convinced us to not fight back. Do we need to start hearing gory details about rape to get women to fight back? Do we need to start teaching women how to fight back?

    And you’re right, I haven’t been in a situation like that. Because I’m not stupid enough to put myself in that position. My parents taught me well. I do look over my shoulder. I would fight back with all my strength. I wouldn’t half ass an attempt to stop him. (And obviously kneeing him the balls wouldn’t be so easy, yes, but ever heard of punching someone? She had great access to his balls and his kidneys. Both great places to punch someone)

    The thing about this whole event that really bugged me the most is that it was literally taken to the extreme. Shaw-Fox, although probably an asshole, did not rape the girl. The girl put herself in a bad situation. She can’t just blame him. She was at fault too. (And before anyone starts judging again, no I do not think women are at fault all the time. In this particular situation, I believe she is at fault for part of it. She didn’t have to take off her clothes. She didn’t have to even go over there. But she did.)

    Go ahead, rip me apart. I stand by what I believe in this situation. But do NOT assume that I do not want women to stand up and fight for themselves. Do NOT assume that just because I have said all of this for one situation that I am a bad person. Leave your judgment calls about my character elsewhere please.

  7. molly says:
    Tue, 19th Feb 20087:06 pm 

    I would never, ever blame the girl. But I have to agree somewhat with Christine. If I had an unwanted penis in my mouth….well. I'd bite it.

    Plain and simple.

  8. Al says:
    Tue, 19th Feb 20088:41 pm 

    I'm gonna start off by saying that while I recognize that I should have sympathy for people in such circumstances, I've never been too into emotions. So please excuse any insensitivity. There are certain laws that if broken, certaintly seem biased in the girl's favor. A girl could quite willingly engage in any or all sexual activities with a guy, and then claim to be raped against her will. Who's gonna argue? A guy arrested for purchasing alcohol for an underage person (female) is already guilty of his intention to rape her later on in everyone's minds. There's this whole stereotype that guys just want to get into a girl's pants. Although it's basis is somewhat true in a primal sense, these ignorant ideas exist because people keep perpetuating them. Apparently men have infiltrated numerous panties to earn such a reputation, and the relative ease they must have had to reach such numbers makes me wonder what can be said about women (as an ignorant stereotype)? The blameless women are the ones raped (perhaps numerous times) by physically abusive men, where kicking his balls or resisting at all could very well result in death.

  9. Madeline says:
    Fri, 22nd Feb 20086:46 pm 

    Well now I say to all you bickering snapying little friends, perhaps this poor girl was not as strong as you might be to bite his dick off or knee him in the balls, and maybe she could have done something to stop him, but when it all comes said and done, the only bad guy in this picture is Morgan for degrading, disrespecting, humiliating, and violating a woman.

  10. ... says:
    Fri, 22nd Feb 20088:48 pm 

    she said that she was pretty strong and that she just didnt know what to do in that moment… i think someone just got dumped or denied a relationship and shes just taking revenge… i believe the saying goes 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'. she degraded herself by getting naked and going to his room alone.. and giving him head. she knew exactly what was gonna happen.. if she was sober enough to remember what happened then she was sober enough to know what he intended to do – have his way with her.

  11. Dasha says:
    Sat, 23rd Feb 20085:48 am 

    "Well now I say to all you bickering snapying little friends, perhaps this poor girl was not as strong as you might be to bite his dick off or knee him in the balls,"

    Thats all fine and good, but imagine this was your brother or close male friend. He isnt looking for something serious, he likes to fool around (and ladies, some of us like this same arrangement!), so this girl he used to have a relationship with comes over to his apartment, while he is drunk (and most likely she is too for that matter) takes her clothes off, and goes down on you with minimal suggestion. In the middle of this, she changes her mind, but doesn't make this clear to him at all, since she doesnt do anything to resist you that you can percieve as not simply being kinky (AKA not being "strong" enough). So the guy violated her? Give me a break. It was an unfortunate even that happened, both partes were in the wrong, and like it had been stated before, she could have prevented this completely through reasonable steps.

    "but when it all comes said and done, the only bad guy in this picture is Morgan for degrading, disrespecting, humiliating, and violating a woman."

    Once again, many really nice guys might have done "the wrong thing" in this situation. Even maybe a few girls? Give me a hot guy, let me get naked with him, have him go down on me after i ask for it, then let him decide he doesn;t want to WITHOUT really telling me anything, then report me the next day for violating him. Since it is a matter of fear as opposed to strength, this little parable is entirely applicable.

    Its laughable.

    OH and name calling totally shows you have thought the entire thing though and aren't just using your initial gut reaction. DO the world a favor and never become a lawyer.

    k thanks.

    and maybe she could have done something to stop him, but when it all comes said and done, the only bad guy in this picture is Morgan for degrading, disrespecting, humiliating, and violating a woman.

  12. Rio says:
    Thu, 24th Apr 20082:49 pm 

    Okay the facts seem clear except in our society we have not been taught to talk and express our sexuality. What is apparent is most likely a communication problem as well as a problem our society has with sex. The point of contention actually is the manner of the sex act not anything else. "he got rough" what does that really mean? We would need to know a lot more. She had sex before; oral sex with him,and he was never "rough"?

    what is very wrong with that picture? Communication is not apparent. Bad sex is just that sometimes it isn't good and sometime your partner is so into it that they do not comprehend. But our society has not educated nor trained us to recognize or be able to respond either way.

    This bit of libel is at the feet of those who deny the education.

  13. william says:
    Fri, 15th Aug 20081:45 pm 

    In England, an accusation of rape would be made to the police, not Facebook. Also, in England, making an allegation in public that someone is a rapist is classed as deformation of character, if they have not been found guilty in a court of law. Clearly, any decent person finds rape or sexual assault of any kind to be abhorent, wrong, and morally offensive. Reading this story first I assumed the male character had performed oral sex on the female character without her consent. How naive. Actually the female character was naked, and with a rather sensitive part of his body between her teeth. He was perhaps a drunken arsehole student male, the type girls should warn all their friends about. But not a rapist. She was perhaps drunk, young and silly. But not prosecutor, judge and jury. Before the established legal system we have today, communities threw witches in the river. If they survived, they were a witch and were hung. If they drowned, they were not a witch. There is a lesson in there somewhere… And facebook is part-owned by the CIA, so go figure.

  14. Greg says:
    Wed, 3rd Dec 20087:09 am 

    I've never understood why anyone would get a kick out of forcing, extorting or otherwise engage in unwanted sex however, having said this, it is not just sexual assaults that place the burden of proof on the accuser.This is the case in all criminal prosecutions in democracies and so it should be. I have been involved in sexual assault investigations where it was clearly proven that the victim in fact made a completely false allegation. Sad, but it does happen.

  15. Doug says:
    Mon, 4th Jan 20108:19 am 

    He should have begun and won a libel action against her.

    What he did wasn't rape. It wasn't close to rape, expect radical feminism grossly unfair to men fantasy date rape version. The fact that other women said he'd done similar things doesn't necessarily mean much in today's radical feminism heated date rape accusation climate on so many campuses. It means he's pissed some other girls off, by being a player perhaps or not being nice enough to these particular girls afterwards.

    His getting any suspension at all is outrageous and due obviously the the radical feminist uproar and atmosphere created.

    Bring back equal justice for all.

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