Rolling Stone apologizes for article claiming rape at U.Va.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Rolling Stone cast doubt Friday on its story of a young woman who said she was gang-raped at a fraternity party at the University of Virginia, saying it has since learned of “discrepancies” in her account.

“Our trust in her was misplaced,” the magazine’s editor, Will Dana, wrote in a signed apology.

The backpedaling dispirited advocates for rape victims who said they are concerned it could lead to a setback in efforts to combat sexual assaults both at U.Va. and college campuses elsewhere.

The lengthy article published last month focused on a woman it identified only as “Jackie,” using her case as an example of what it called a culture of sexual violence hiding in plain sight at U.Va.

The statement Rolling Stone posted on its website said discrepancies in the woman’s account became apparent “in the face of new information” but provided no details about what facts might be in question.

U.Va was roiled by the magazine’s initial article, whose main allegation was that too many people at the university put protecting the school’s image and their own reputations above seeking justice for sex crimes. The story prompted a suspension of fraternity activities.