Tweet with “#consentisoverrated” sparks outcry, response
A screenshot of the original tweet. Blurred to protect identity. QNet News file photo.
BELLEVILLE – A tweet that used the hashtag “consentisoverrated” is under some scrutiny following a weekend house party in Northumberland County.
The OPP are investigating an alleged “incident” at the house party which took place in Bewdley, a small community in the county . Several media reports have said that allegations of sexual assault are involved, and that some members of the Cobourg Cougars Junior “A” hockey team were at the party.
However, police have not confirmed anything and no charges have been laid.
The tweet was deleted soon after posting, but not before it received several re-tweets and screenshots.
A news release by the OPP said that further information on the incident will only be released after investigation “due to the young age of some of the involved persons and the sensitive nature of the allegations under investigation.”
Acting Sgt. Kelly Daniels of Central OPP said that though she could not comment on what is being investigated, social media is a part of it.
“As most people are aware, (social media) is a fairly large portion of what everyone’s seeing out there. So we do have someone that’s monitoring social media and that forms part of our investigation.”
Daniels said she also could not give comment on specific tweets as that “would be evidentiary.”
The Cobourg Cougars released a statement on Wednesday after multiple media inquires about the tweet. The statement said that no member of the Cougars organization wrote it.
“That tweet, the (hashtag) and the person who tweeted it are in no way affiliated with the Cobourg Cougars. As we understand, that tweet was a complete fabrication and the trophy shown, which is in fact a minor hockey trophy not associated with the Cobourg Cougars, played absolutely no role in the weekend’s alleged very unfortunate events.”
The Cougars subsequently posted these messages on Twitter:
We are taking the reported allegations very seriously and are committed to participating in any investigation.
— Cobourg Cougars (@CougarsHockey) March 11, 2015
To clarify, #consentisoverrated was never used by our players or staff at any point. We find the # to be profoundly wrong and unacceptable.
— Cobourg Cougars (@CougarsHockey) March 11, 2015
The Cobourg Community Hockey League also released a statement stating that its trophy was not present at the time of the alleged incident.
“The CCHL executive committee would like to clarify the use of our Cougar Classic Tournament trophy as it relates to the ongoing investigation surrounding the Cobourg Cougars Jr “A” hockey club. The trophy, presented annually to the divisional winners of our early-bird tournament was not in attendance when the alleged incident occurred and remained in the CCHL office at the (Cobourg Community Centre),” the statement said.
After being posted, the tweet sparked an outcry on twitter from people opposed to its contents:
When you feed the narcissism of an already egocentric teenage boy, it’s no surprise that what emerges is the #consentisoverrated attitude.
— Eliza Eaton (@Eliza_Eaton) March 11, 2015
The fact that there is a #consentisoverrated hashtag is really frightening.
— Tutoria (@missing_chapter) March 11, 2015
I hope that I am able to raise my son to respect women & their rights, and to never, ever say something as ignorant as #ConsentIsOverrated
— Chris Read (@CanadianDadBlog) March 11, 2015
I am shocked and terrified that #consentisoverrated is trending. We need to teach children to respect themselves and others. #notacceptable
— Natasha Delpippo (@Natasha1981) March 11, 2015
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