Faith Kroll (PICTURES): Northwestern Univ. Prof. apologizes for sex-toy demonstration
(CBS/AP) CHICAGO - Northwestern University professor J. Michael Bailey has apparently realized that having Faith Kroll and her fiancee Jim Marcus demonstrate the use of a sex toy at a recent gathering for his human sexuality class may have not been a wise decision.
The psychology professor apologized Saturday, but said he still sees "absolutely no harm" in what happened.
Bailey said he regrets hurting Northwestern's reputation and "upsetting so many people in this particular manner. I apologize."
The incident took place Feb. 21. After a class on human sexuality, Bailey invited students to stay for a discussion of sexual fetishes. He repeatedly warned that it would be graphic.
The discussion included Kroll stripping nude and allowing Marcus to use a motorized sex toy on her.
In a statement, Bailey said he had never before allowed something like that and would not allow it again.
"During a time of financial crisis, war, and global warming, this story has been a top news story for more than two days," Bailey said. "That this is so reveals a stark difference of opinion between people like me, who see absolutely no harm in what happened, and those who believe that it was profoundly wrong."
The school initially defended the demonstration, but Northwestern President Morton Schapiro subsequently said he was troubled and disappointed by the incident and promised an investigation.
Many alumni and parents have also condemned it.
Bailey said critics have not made a compelling case. He said he would give them an "F" if he were grading their arguments.
"Offense and anger are not arguments," he wrote. "But I remain open to hearing and reading good arguments."
About 100 students attended the after-class, optional seminar on fetishes.
Click here for complete coverage of the Northwestern sex toy demonstration on Crimesider.
