Unless he's found guilty, the Medical student accused of rape should be allowed to return to class. But now that a week has passed since her announcement, and almost three weeks have elapsed since the alleged incident, the accused student wants to go back to class. He's got every right to do so. Acquaintance rape is a messy, painful crime of power -- a violation of the trust that holds personal relationships of all types together. If it occured in this case, the perpetrator should be punished according to established procedures within the Medical School -- and if his accuser chooses, by a court of law. But unless the accused rapist is proven guilty, he's innocent according to federal law -- and he should be able to get his lectures in person, with his classmates, not by video in his apartment.
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