The University of North Carolina has had plenty of problems with football players, and now it has a much bigger problem than academic scandals, with the news of its police department’s handling of an alleged sexual assault by Tar Heels linebacker Allen Artis.
Artis was formally charged with sexual assault and battery on Tuesday, following a self-sworn warrant from the accuser, Delany Robinson, in front of a magistrate judge. Robinson also went very public with concerns for how the DPS (University of North Carolina police department) handled her situation following the alleged attack on Valentine’s Day this February.
What is also disturbing is Robinson’s allegation that the police department treated her less like a potential victim, and more like the suspect. Meanwhile, they treated Artis like the victim, and were seen laughing and joking around when the tape of his interview was released.
According to Robinson, she was questioned much like a suspect in a criminal case would be by investigators:
“I was treated like a suspect. What was I wearing? What was I drinking? How much did I drink? How much did I eat that day? Did I lead him on? Have I hooked up with him before? Do I often have one-night stands? Did I even say no? What is my sexual history? How many men have I slept with?”
Robinson’s public statement also includes an allegation that the DPS even told Artis that he had nothing to worry about, and “Don’t sweat it, just keep on living your life and playing football”.
Robinson admits to drinking the night in question and told police that in her initial interview. Still, she doesn’t see that as a cue to be attacked in the way she was.
“Yes, I was drinking that night on Valentine’s Day,” said Robinson, via The Daily Beast. “I’m underage, and I take responsibility for that. But that doesn’t give anyone the right to violate me. I did not deserve to be raped.”
As for the UNC athletic department, they have suspended him from the team following the issuance of the arrest warrant, but note they do not control university processes regarding sexual assault.
UNC AD Bubba Cunningham said in a text that athletic department is not involved in "university processes" regarding sexual assault cases.
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) September 13, 2016
There’s clearly an issue here for UNC, as there are serious questions that need to be answered beyond sports. How the police handled the interview process showed some pretty clear bias and mistreatment of the alleged victim and alleged perpetrator.
