So many of the things I write on this blog deal with crimes committed by adults against other adults, with motives to steal, rob, defraud, kill etc. Over the past week it has become a reality for most New Jersey residents that crime effects everyone and can be committed by anybody. For Rutgers University it was college students videotaping another student and posting it on the web.
Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi was videotaped making out with another young man in his dorm room. Dharun Ravi, another freshman and his roommate, is the one the news is saying took the footage and posted it on the internet. Molly Wei, a freshman, who is friends with Ravi, is implicated in the videotaping. The actions of Ravi were made public when Clementi committed suicide by jumping off of the George Washington Bridge on September 22, 2010.
All involved burst out on to the National Scene in news broadcasts and Facebook pages. Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, have each been charged with two counts each of invasion of privacy for “using the camera to view and transmit a live image.” Though the two have been charged, many are demanding this be called a “hate crime”. Many gay rights activists are saying the charges are too lenient.
For Ravi and Wei, it is a world awash in gay rights issues and a campaign to end school bullying. The cards are already stacked against the duo and only time will tell if the State feels they should be charged with more.
It is never easy when crimes happen. It is even more difficult to think our children could commit them. All eyes are on New Jersey and all hearts go out to Tyler Clementi. We will all stay tuned to see what happens.
Call us to hear more about the tragedy.
