Editor stands by drug rape article

Critic editor Holly Walker last night stood by her decision to publish an explicit drug rape article, after a day defending it to media from around New Zealand.

The University of Otago magazine's "Offensive Issue" attracted an outcry from police and Rape Crisis, who said one article was a "how-to guide" for rapists.

The article, headlined "Diary of a drug rapist - no means no, but if they can't talk, they can't turn you down", continued to attract complaints.

Ms Walker, who is planning a career in journalism, said she would do it all over again next year if she was still at the magazine.

At this stage, no action has been taken against the publication, either at a university or students' association level, but that may change.

University chancellor Lindsay Brown said yesterday he had not read the article but was aware of media reports about it.

"Obviously, adverse publicity is not something we would welcome."

He had not made any inquiries about the article which, he said, was a job for Vice-Chancellor Professor David Skegg.

"He may well be looking into it."

Mr Skegg was unavailable for comment.

Otago University Students Association president Steven Sutton said his organisation was not planning any action against the magazine at this stage.

"Obviously, if there's a chorus of complaint from the membership base, if people come to see me, I would take that into account."

He said nobody had approached him yet.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES