8: Welcome to the Red Zone

The Third Boat

Note- This was recorded prior to the US Election. - Jen

Content Warning: This episode mentions a death by suicide, a death by murder, as well as sexual assault.

JRN Staff, Junior Rowing News. September 23, 2024 Sexual Abuse in Sport: An open letter to the rowing community

Welcome to the Red Zone.

US Resources:

If you have thoughts of suicide or need to talk to, please call or text 988 in the US. This number was activated in 2022. https://988lifeline.org/

For victims of sexual violence, contact: https://rainn.org/ or call 800-656-HOPE (4673)

British resources:

Safeline – https://safeline.org.uk/

The Survivors trust – https://thesurvivorstrust.org/

Women’s Aid – https://www.womensaid.org.uk/womens-aid-directory/

British Rowing - Safeguarding and Protecting Adults Policy, March 2020: https://www.britishrowing.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Safeguarding-Adults-at-Risk-March-2020.pdf

Trigger Warning: This one's a downer. It mentions a suicide, and the existence of sexual assault. And I'm going to call Fraternity's frats. You gotta problem with that? Get your own podcast.

So this episode is more along the lines of a public service announcement. It's fall, and we're in the red zone. If your kids are off to college, can you check the Sams law Stats on the website of your son's new frat, or assume your daughter is safe in her new boat club in London. Mmmmm I'm not sure it's that simple. Welcome to the red zone.

What goes on behind those creaky old boathouse doors? Who's invited and who's safe? Who thrives and why do some leave? And why do rowers do some of the wierd things they do? Let's talk about rowing culture. And this time, let's do it from the perspective of... the third boat. I'm Jen Butler. This is the third boat podcast.

Happy Fall everyone. Here in Seattle, the leaves are falling. The rowers are trying to remember where they stored their winter rowing tights. Theta Chi at University of Washington is back up again. This is the frat Joel McHale briefly joined 30 years ago. The Interfraternity Council (the IFC) suspended them for four years when it was determined they had retaliated related to a Title IX case. I had to park next to the house a few times this summer and it was quite a busy renovation but the building and the grounds looks lovely. In addition to their lovely new landscaping, they have a new facebook page. On their facebook page they say 0 Sams Law violations last 5 years. Holy Disengenous metrics Fratman. That Frat was shut down for 4 years for Title IX retaliation. And Sams Law was just signed into law 2 years ago. Theta Chi's other chapter at Washington State University is currently suspended. Luke Tyler, a freshman rushing that frat , died by suicide last year after hazing.

Oh I should note that Theta Chi is different from Theta Xi. I had to double check as well, because if you attended the UW in the 90's you probably remember the sheep incident. During Hell Week in 1990 fraternity pledges were found in their skivvies covered in peanut butter with quote "overheated and agitated" sheep. The UW IFC had adopted an anti-hazing policy the year prior after members of Delta Upsilon killed a chicken by dropping it off a balcony in Kane Hall.

And now.... The Red Zone. Hey everybody, welcome to the red zone. In american football, the red zone is the distance between the 20 yard line and the goal line. It's where you're more likely to score. And.... in the rest of the college, the red zone denotes the time when you are most likely to hurt someone, or get hurt. This is when hazings happen, and 50% of sexual assault. Freshman are at most risk. Most attacks happen between 12-6 on Saturday or Sunday Morning. Every year. The red zone runs till Thanksgiving in the US, end of term in the UK.

So on campuses there is red zone or now green dot training and awareness. Sometimes there are custom made programs. Sometimes they look serious, sometimes they look like they are to minimize liability. There are often workshops, which everyone participates in.

Here's what I feel we don't say.... but everyone already right and wrong. Everyone already knows about consent. They know, it can be given, and it can be changed.

We already knew that hazing was bad, and women have a right to safety in universities. I thought we all had these discussions a long time ago. And yes, I realize how naive that sounds.. I don't really understand how workshops can help but i'm willing to learn. When I was at University there were take back the night rallies. In Seattle the Home Alive movement began after Mia Zapata of the gits was raped and murdered after leaving her job at the Comet Tavern in Capitol Hill. Women in bands worked together to try to keep each other safe in their unique amazing music world of bars, nightclubs late nights and dark streets. You may have heard some of the music that came from that movement. Seven Year Bitches Album, Viva Zapata is in honor of Mia. If you were at the Ohana Festival in September you would have heard Eddie Vedder's cover of Eddy Holland's Motown hit Leaving Hear. This song was from a cd compilation made to support the Home Alive Cause in 1996. As a side note, the music industry in Seattle from 1990 to 1997 is fascinating. I would happily talk over a beer comparing Home Alive to some similar efforts in rowing clubs. It would have to be at the Comet, Mia's bar. At university in the states, there is a Title IX office on all campuses that manages policies, and guidance and establishes process in the sad event someone is hurt by sexual violence. Based on my research, it appears the processes aren't always clear and consistent between universities. And I'm somewhat baffled by the protocols in British Universities and Boat clubs. The most current pulse point I see is an open letter on the Junior Rowing News site: Sexual Abuse in sport, an open letter to the rowing community. We will visit Britain later, however I think it's worth noting this open letter that came out last month. I think it's worth a read - not just for the open letter, but for the accompanying survey responses.

The Author refers to an Instagram poll from the account Henley Love. Respondents were asked “Do you think enough is being done to protect women in rowing from abuse?” Of the 1045 people who chose to respond, (76%) of the poll said no. Participants could choose to answer the following quesion - “What can clubs and athletes do to help women?” Out of the 85 responses, 15 indicated clubs should refuse to admit people that were known offenders, and that clubs should kick out offenders. "Not letting rapists row for them would be a cracking start" At least 10 out of the 85 indicated that performance should not take priority over safety. "Stop prioritising rowing ability over behaviour. A sub 6 2k doesn’t excuse being a creep."

I attended the US SafeSport training for volunteers this summer. I learned a lot more than I thought I would. And now I find the article and in particular some of the associated poll comments alarming. If your daughter is rowing in Britain - how do you know for sure she will be safe?