Dominatrix stages photoshoot on fraternity doorsteps

By Anna Bowden ’16
Contributing Writer
Karmenife Paulino,  a 22-year-old graduate of Wesleyan University, recently posed as a dominatrix for a photoshoot entitled Reclamation. The photos were taken at many of the fraternities on Wesleyan’s campus, including the fraternity in which she was raped during her freshman year. For those of you who haven’t heard of BDSM (B/D: bondage and discipline, D/S: dominance and submission, S/M: sadism and masochism), a dominatrix is a women who takes on a dominating, sadistic role in sadomasochistic sexual activities. The photoshoot was intended to reassert her sexual authority and reclaim fraternity spaces; it also brings attention to a host of issues that apply to all college students. The primary issue that Paulino raises is the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses, particularly in fraternities. A secondary issue she raises, although inadvertently, is the social repercussions women experience when they boldly confront their attackers. Lastly, the BDSM aspect of the photoshoot highlights how women on college campuses are often criticized in ways that men are not for being sexually confident and adventurous.
The legal history of sexual assault in this country is shocking. According to the Women’s Law Society, “rape was originally defined as a crime against property, not against a person. As such, the crime related to patriarchal inheritance rights and a female’s reproductive capacity and therefore was limited to a crime against unmarried virgins and included only forcible penile/vaginal penetration.” Our laws have since evolved, but the system contains vestiges of its sexist beginnings. Sexual assault on college campuses was made illegal under federal law by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The law explicitly protects equal opportunity, but sexual harassment is seen as preventing equality in this setting. Colleges in the U.S. have recently increased efforts to prevent sexual assault on campuses, but the policies do not seem to be working. Reclamation brings attention to the dangers women deal with, particularly in fraternities. According to the research done by John D. Foubert, a professor at Oklahoma University, fraternity men are three times more likely to commit sexual assault than any other college men. Still, some argue that fraternities should not be the focus of reform, contending that sexual predators won’t be stopped by targeting fraternities.
The public response to Reclamation has been controversial, which is an issue in and of itself. Some individuals, myself included, view the photo series as an empowering response to a tragic, vile crime. Others have responded by calling into question the truthfulness of her accusations. While it is not wrong to check facts, Paulino’s story has been confirmed – her attacker was expelled for the incident. It is disappointing that members of our society would choose to focus on discussing the rape itself rather than the important issues she is trying to address. Reclamation is not the only brave attempt Karmenife Paulino has made to help those who have experienced sexual assault. She started the Survivor Support Network in the fall of 2015. In addition, she plans to work to address racial disparities she has noticed in response to sexual misconduct.
Another aspect of Reclamation involves the social stigma associated with being a sexually active, confident woman. Karmenife stated that “women who are sexually confident are always demonized in these spaces and in society in general.” Unfortunately women are often shamed for their sexual endeavors, especially when women have sex for pleasure outside of a committed relationship. Conversely, men are often encouraged to have multiple sexual partners, especially on college campuses. It is impossible to have it both ways. Posing as a dominatrix challenges societal expectations for women to be ashamed, or at least private, about their sexuality.