Video: The Date Rape Backlash: Media & the Denial of Rape

How did date rape shift from a "shockingly frequent... outrage," as Newsweek once called it, to a controversy over "crying rape," as New York magazine later labeled it? Susan Faludi, bell hooks, Mary Koss, Katha Pollitt, Neil Malamuth, and ohters, analyze a classical case study in media "backlash."

By the early 1990s, solid research and overwhelming evidence had prompted a growing awareness of the epidemic nature of date rape, especially on college campuses. But, starting in 1993, the media used the anecdotal comments of one young woman, Katie Roiphe, to undermine efforts to stop this continuing crime against women. How did this happen? Academy Award Winning- screenwriter Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise) hosts a lively discussion by researchers, journalists, and authors.

One in 5 college women will be subjected to rape or attempted rape.

In 78% of rape cases, the victim knew the assailant.

In acquaintance rape, alcohol or drugs were involved with 55% of the women and 75% of the men.