Many  students won't  testify/file charges against criminals,  because  they fear  retaliation from an  out  of  control school. system. It  is  totally  wrong for a kid or  parent  having  to  face an enraged coach, teacher,  principal,  or  Board  of  Education member; after  they testified/pressed charges. This must change. I call for a federal  law  making it a felony offense for  school-related officials to  punish  students whom testify/press charges against crime-related stuff. The  penalty would be  three-fold:

A. Lose their job.
B. Lose  all benefits.
C. The  same  are  banned  from  working in  a  school-related trade  for  life.

The reason she was defending her son's friends is because if they are rapists, her son hangs out with rapists. I.e. other people will know her son hangs out with rapists and associates him and her with rapists. Seems a slightly more narcissistic than she should be at her age.

I am in Perth Australia, and the large boy laughing and carrying on reminds me of a young man at my daughter's school. Last year my daughter was sexually harassed by a 15yr old boy in line at the school canteen- he rubbed himself on her and made explicit sexual comments (they sounded like words from a pornographic film). Other students (older and younger) stood around and laughed or did nothing to help her while he did this. After she made an incident report, he was suspended for a week (which he bragged about on facebook), following his return to school he flashed his genitals at my daughter and her friends and was suspended again. He talks about girls on facebook in derogatory ways i.e. calling them the p word for vagina. When he posts pictures of girls on his fb page, his older adult relatives make comments about how he must have masturbated after being near them (and even adult females in his family "like" his comments and pictures). What hope is there when even adults treat this anti-social deviant behaviour like a joke? If a male staff member sexually harassed a female staff member, he would not be suspended for a week and then allowed to return without police being informed.

This type of behavour doesnt surprise me, it does disgust me but doesnt surprise me! I believe that our society is fragile and is only getting worse! I do believe America is a huge influence on the rest of the world which I worry about  a great deal!

The thing that worries me is the lack of forethought and morals! I do believe that the media has a huge part to play in how the young generation think and behave! How can young people develop a sense of morality when explicit sex tapes legitimise celebrities and are often make for publicity! I do believe that social media and media, television and film have a huge influence on people and how they behave! It is no surprise when young people behave badly when shows like jersey shore, jerseylisious portrait over drinking and extremely bad behavour as normal and acceptable and a way to become rich and famous! What message are we sending our young generation when sex tapes make you popular, getting drunk and behaving badly is acceptable and beneficial at times.

I am not blaming one particular show on what happened as this is not likely but the advent of so called reality shows are a real worry! Even shows like the Kardashians influence young people to be fake and behave in a way only for publicity no matter what the consequenses! If the media doesnt change the overall message presently being pushed and revert to responsible messages then things are going to get a lot worse!

Some young people today are so influenced by the media that the concept of empathy and morality are non existent! I can understand why when the message out there is it doesnt matter what you do and how you behave things will be great! I will even say that if you behave badly enough you may become famous if enough people see it!

I am definatley worried that young people dont see any consequenses for horrific behavour and the producer of these shows and the media have a lot to answer to! It amazed me that when Paris Hilton's sex tape went public several talk shows invited her to appear legitimizing her! Appearing on shows only made her popular and sent a message that its beneficial to be graphic!

I am mentioning the media as it has become a pivitol aspect of the young generation and if we dont do something about the content and the lack of morality and any consequences displayed and realize these shows have a part to play in what is normal and what is acceptable.

I live in Sydney Australia, and just watched the show on Steubenville. I think it's time that fathers became much more invovled with our sons when displaying and maintaining the attitudes, behaviour, moral standards and perception of being a man. It's very easy as a young bloke to just go along with the crowd, especially after a few drinks. But fathers need to discuss the thoughts, behaviours and consequences of these thoughts and behaviors, and how to take a stand against unacceptable behaviour as it is occurring. Easier said than done, but I think a true sign of having Courage.

I just need to say, and quite frankly I've never posted on one of these before, that this case is sad all the way around! That poor little girl! She is somebody's sweet daughter! That being said I was so very troubled by your leagal expert Robin Sax I believe was her name.  I felt she was way too aggressive with the mom and her son on your show, who as far as I could tell were no more involved with the "rape" than you and I. These people came on your show to support the community in hopes that the nation would see that the entire community was not to blame. I watched the entire show and did not miss a beat..... Tonight I am watching Fox 11 news at 10 and she is on there talking about being on your show and says I hear her I can not believe my ears!!! She misrepresented this mother and her son ENTIRELY!!! I would even day she LIED about what happened on your show. I really hope someone from the Dr Phil staff reads this and at the very least looks into this and never has her back on your show..... I for one will turn the channel.

While trying to watch this show with an open mind it was a little hard.  Being a parent of someone who has been a victim to a similar crime.   I was taught that for every action there is a reaction.  It is a shame when young kids make such henious decisions.  I feel bad for all parties involved to an extent.  They are so young and for this to be in their background.    There was one particular statement that was made on the show by the blonde mother.  She stated that because of all the "accusations"  that the accused boys are afraid to go to school.  They have had death threats.   Let me ask you this,  WHAT ABOUT THE GIRL???  Do you not think she is having issue about going to school?  Do you think she may have issues just looking at herself in the mirror daily knowing what heavy weight she carries.  Unfortunately I speak this from experience.  I see what my daughter has dealt with and deals with.  Not to mention what something like this does to a family.  I do not mean publicising it.  That is something this younger generation is quilty of  they spread everything around then act innocent to it or made cause word got out.  It  wouldnt be there if they didnt try to make it a game as to who can "tweet" facebook, myspace which ever it is now the wildest things.     And for the parents that sit there and say  "my son" would never do that or "my daughter" would never do that.  Please wake up.  Your parents said the same things about you and look at some of the stuff you did.

And back to my original reason for posting here, To that blonde mother that was on stage.  Yes I do feel bad for those boys that "feel threatened"  If they are legitimate threats, take them up with law enforcement.  As far as that young girl, Kudos to you for going to your parents.  I do wish you the best of luck with counceling.  It does help.  And to parents of all children, involved in this or just living your daily life -  HUG YOUR KIDS and keep enforcing that you love them.

I am  compelled to respond to this case and the events/publicity/media attention to this case over the past few months! As a female, mother of two teenage girls, a probation officer working with sex offenders & a graduate social worker...I urge for a call into action!


All of us, from communities across the Country have a stake in this issue of rape and sexual assault and need to demand accountability for justice, support, prevention, protections and education for victims of sexual violence, their perpetrators, parents, communities and law enforcement!

This alleged victim, the alleged perpetrators and this community are Not unique at all! They are, in fact, mere examples of cases and issues being played out in all communities across the Country every day!                     If you have a son, daughter, husband, wife, friend, community that you love, it's an issue that affects you and you have a stake in taking action, voicing your intolerance and helping to STOP the violence!


  

I was a bartender and have seen many drunk men, drunker than the idiot, Nodi, the star of the video, but, I have never seen a drunk talk the way that young man spoke.  


It disgusts me that Dr. Phil suggests that as a youthful indescretion and just a joke.


As so many comments here state, this show was another injustice in the way this girl has been treated.


I have lost all respect for Dr. Phil.

I agree!  She over-shouted the expert. She thought only her opinion was important.