High school students on the Peninsula are tackling a sensitive issue. They are writing articles about high school student rape in the Palo Alto High School magazine “Verde.” Jean Elle reports.
High school students on the Peninsula are tackling a sensitive issue. They are writing articles about high school student rape in the Palo Alto High School magazine "Verde."
The hard-copy version came out on Tuesday.
The students are hoping graphic articles about boys raping girls will get people talking about a crime that is often kept secret. The writers interviewed girls they said were actually raped at parties and told some of their stories in the student magazine.
"I know stories that have happened I've heard from friends from gossip as everyone at Paly has,"
said Lisie Sabbag, a writer at the magazine, who said she talked to more than one victim of rape.
Sabbag said some of the victims she talked to reported the crime and some didn't.
The "Verde" team is hoping to make students aware that sex without consent is rape.
Evelyn Wang, a student editor-in-chief of the magazine, said it's time to stop blaming the victim. "Oh you shouldn't have been drinking, shouldn't have been dressed like a slut," she said. "Shifting blame on victim when you should be teaching instead, don't rape."
Wang hopes this controversial topic changes minds.
One parent, Frances Davies, said she had no idea that rapes are occurring at schools. "I had no idea," she said.
The latest issue of "Verde" will be mailed to Palo Alto High School parents on Thursday.
Palo Alto police wouldn't confirm any active high school rape investigations they are working on, but said they will read the magazine to look for information.
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