For many people, parties at college are almost as important a part of the educational experience as what’s learned in class. Classic old films like “Animal House” and “Revenge of the Nerds” feature collegiate party scenes that are typically wild and occasionally raunchy.
As Marlo Greer points out in her video on this topic, college parties are fun. They’re part of growing up. College wouldn’t be the same if there were no such things as college parties, and many students wouldn’t enjoy the collegiate experience if there were no parties involved.
A Darker Side to College Parties
Marlo also notes one thing that college parties are not: They are not a “free pass” for sex. This is where things can get difficult for students. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for students to be sexually assaulted at or after college parties.
If that happens to you, Marlo says, “you have a bunch of different rights and potential claims” that you may be able to assert “against a bunch of different people.” And what’s more:
- Just because you were drinking;
- Just because you went to a party;
- Just because you wore a short skirt;
doesn’t give anybody the right to assault you. It is that simple.
Claims Can Extend Beyond the Attacker
When it comes to the potential claims that Marlo mentions in her video, in many cases, it’s not just the attacker who can be held responsible. Sometimes the host can too. If the event was sponsored by an organization, such as a fraternity, sorority, or special interest club, it can often be added as a defendant. The same goes for a bar or event space that served the alcohol to the attacker, or failed to provide an appropriate level of security for party guests. If the party was held on university property, the school itself might be included as a defendant.
The point here is not to “sue everybody,” of course. But it is to take a close look at the sexual assault, and consider if there is anybody other than the attacker who played a role in it. If there are others who share responsibility, they should and often can be held accountable. And note: the attacker does not have to be found guilty of a crime. A sexual assault lawsuit is a civil case, and a lower burden of proof applies.
Greer Law Can Help You Recover Compensation for Sexual Assault
At Greer Law, we help people daily who have survived sexual assault. We fight to get them compensation for the harm they have suffered as a result of the attack – compensation that can often go a long way towards helping them pay for the mental and physical health care they need because of the sexual assault.
Because we work with so many sexual assault survivors, we know that bringing a lawsuit for sexual assault is never an easy decision. That’s why we will never pressure you into doing it. We will answer your questions and give you the information you need to make your own choice, in your own time.
If you have been sexually assaulted at or after a college party, contact Greer Law so we can explain how you can be compensated for your attack. Call us at 303-331-6460, or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a free case evaluation.
META title: College Party Sexual Assault | Greer Law
Description: Just because you attend a college party does not mean you have consented to sex
College parties can be an enormous amount of fun, and for many students are an important part of the college experience. But as Marlo Greer points out in her video on this topic (link in the comments), just because:
- You were at the party
- You were drinking
- You wore a short skirt
does not mean you have consented to sex.
If you were sexually assaulted at or after a college party, you may be able to get compensation from those responsible for your attack. At Greer Law, we help sexual assault survivors. We know that in many cases, responsibility for a sexual assault goes further than the attacker. The host of the party, the organization that sponsored it, and the bar or restaurant where it happened may share responsibility with your attacker for the sexual assault.
Message us so we can set up a free case evaluation. We know it can be a very difficult decision to sue anyone responsible for your sexual assault. That’s why we will never pressure you to bring a lawsuit. We’ll give you the information you need to make that decision when you’re ready.
