The Do's & Dont's of Craigslist

When doing a search on Craigslist,  the last thing I would think I would find is someone looking to be raped. This is probably, because I wouldn’t dare to venture into the “Personals” section. But if I had in December of 2009 that is exactly what I would have found.

Last December Sarah, her last name cannot be found, went on Craigslist for the first time after she was told about a certain ad. She found the ad that had her picture on it and the title that read, “Need an aggressive man with no concern or regard for women. If interested, contact Sarah.”  Sarah states that she called the police but they told her they had no control over Craigslist and then suggested she contact Craigslist.  She then called Craigslist, reported the ad and they removed it immediately.  The listing that had been posted by Sarah’s ex-boyfriend, and unfortunately had already been seen by men willing to do what the ad asked; fulfill this woman’s desire to be raped.

Sarah’s ex-boyfriend and ex-Marine, Jebidiah Stipe received 161 responses to his posting and had set up several dates and times for them to go to Sarah’s house.  Ty McDowell was the first person to make it to Sarah’s house. He pushed her into her house by her shoulders, put a blindfold around her eyes, tied her wrists and ankles with rope, ripped off her clothes and began to rape her. Sarah was no match to the man that held a knife to her throat. 

I did some research and this wasn’t the first case of violence on Craigslist.  After a case of a masseuse who posted an ad was killed, Craigslist decided to remove the “erotic services” category and add an “adult services” section. Craigslist also claimed that they would now screen all advertisements before they are posted. Upon doing some searching on Craigslist myself, this clearly isn’t the case.

Anytime anyone wants to buy something cheap, whether it be a couch or a set of dishes, they’ll search on Craigslist. This is the go-to place to find a good bargain. Craigslist posters offer good bargains so Craigslist as a company should return the favor by only allowing “good” posting to be displayed. Craigslist is known by so many people and viewed by even more. This company really needs to realize what they are allowing to happen by offering an “adult services” category. People aren’t posting ads to rape and murder people on a light pole, they’re doing it on Craigslist and this shouldn’t be allowed. There is no need for a company that is capable of doing so much good, to allow their name to be drug through the mud by posting heinous acts.   Craigslist needs to recognize what is going on and put an end to it. Open your eyes Craigslist, none of your recent publicity is good. 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/13/craigslist-exotic-ads-to_n_202896.html


http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Craigslist-Rape-Victim/2