February 2, 2012

STATEMENT OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE GREGG HADDAD:
RE: UConn student-run TV station video that jokes about rape

“Clearly the video is offensive, and further unacceptable for an entity funded by student fees. While UCTV, and similarly the Daily Campus, are important outlets that help teach students about important concepts such as freedom of speech, they also have a responsibility to the community they serve. Simply testing boundaries about what can be said or depicted should not be part of the mission.”

“Sexual violence on college campuses is a very serious issue, and I would encourage our colleges and universities to continually review their security and response procedures to be sure everything is being done to prevent such crime as has been the practice at UConn. In addition, the legislature’s Higher Education Committee, of which I am a member, is considering a bill aimed at improving school policies on dealing with sexual violence. At the same time, we must recognize that each of us has a responsibility to foster a deeply embedded cultural sensitivity and an environment where every individual is respected and feels safe and secure on campus and in our community.”