The immediate issue is, of course, the participation in, video taping, tweeting about, or silently witnessing of the horrific kidnapping and sexual assault of a young woman by dozens of her peers.
Perhaps an equally horrifying issue is the response of the town's adults, parents, law enforcement, and educators who sought to defend the young men (and slander the young woman) who, though innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, face a mountain of clear evidence of guilt. The disgusting reaction of these adults in the face of the terrible crimes of their children is disgusting beyond words. The victim blaming, rape apologetics, and morally criminal defense of rape culture from the adults of Steubenville leaves few options other than the destruction of the entire town.