Liz Seccuro

When she was 17 years old Liz Seccuro was a freshman at the University of Virginia when she was sexually assaulted at a campus fraternity house. Although she went to the University's clinic emergency room she was told that they were unable to run the tests she would need and that it would be better for her to take herself to a city hospital. Instead Liz went to the student health clinic the following day where she was treated for injuries sustained during the attack. Liz took her complaints to the dean of the college but was unsuccesful in pursuing the matter finding that college officials took the 'blame the victim' stance that so frequently happens in these circumstances. When Liz' own mother questioned what her daughter was wearing that night Liz knew that she needed to let the matter rest.

Twenty one years after the attack Liz was stunned to receive a letter from the man who had committed the rape. He was trying to make amends to anyone he had hurt in his past as one of the requirements of his treatment in AA. Although his version of the incident differed from Liz recollection he knew that he had not treated her with respect and advised her that he would accept whatever she felt she needed to do. Having the past brought back to her so suddenly not only sickened Liz but gave her the resolve to pursue criminal charges. This book deals with the indictment, court case and the aftermath of a highly publicized story.

This is a well written book by a strong and courageous woman who is now a victims' rights activist. It is at times horrific and all the more heartbreaking when you know how often this crime goes unreported for exactly the frustrating reasons Liz faced.
… (mer)

Liz Seccuro has demonstrated real courage in telling the story of her brutal rape and the trial held 21 years later. She has also demonstrated a generosity of spirit in telling her story (which could not have been easy for her) in the hopes that it will help others.

As a 17-year-old virgin, Liz was raped by three men at a frat party on campus. Rape remains an issue on many campuses today. Her story about how the University dealt with this crime could be part of the reason why.

Ms. Seccuro has taken a difficult story and told it simply with great honesty.… (mer)

This book could have people arguing for years. Liz Seccuro, cute little 17 year old University of Virginia student was drugged and gang raped at a fraternity party. She was discouraged at all levels from having her rapist prosecuted and even told by the dean of students that the police had no jurisdiction over the fraternity house where the crime occurred. After 21 years of therapy and finally establishing herself as an event planner and well to do wife and mother, one of the rapists, William Beebe, the only one whose name or even involvement she was sure of - following the 9th step of the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 step program - tracked her down and wrote her a letter of apology to make amends. This letter threw her into a series of panic attacks and made her fearful that the rapist would once again attack her. Beebe had been searching for her for 10 years and was able to get her home address from the UVA alumni association. This is almost beyond belief. In a series of chatty e-mails Beebe admits that he harmed her, admits that he raped her, acknowledges that she's probably angry about what happened, but also seems to express the idea that while the situation was unpleasant it wasn't violent or horrendous, just misguided. He seemed naively to think all would be forgiven. Seccuro repeatedly states that she does forgive him, for her own sake, but also had him prosecuted. The book covers the pretrial and trial testimony. Ironically Beebe, the only one of the rapists to show any remorse was also the only one ever prosecuted.
There are those who think in the spirit of Christian forgiveness, Seccuro should have accepted the apology and not had Beebe prosecuted. After all he was young and disturbed and had a drinking problem. Seccuro admits all that is true. All that also had nothing to do with her. She was just a woman trying to lead her life, and he took control over her and violated her. She thought he needed punishment, certainly more than the 6 months in jail that he ended up receiving. I think she was right, and I'm very impressed with the way she is able to state the victim's side of the issue. Seccuro continues to be a victim's advocate and national speaker on the issue of rape. Her book in an unflinching look at the way rape victims are "handled" and the rights they must fight for.… (mer)