Rape is a controversial subject matter and I"m not surprised it raised a few comments.
However after reading FOTR's I can see why the assumption is there. The night in question that Gilliard talks about caused many people on this board to be shaken with the possibilty of horrendous actions towards the young women.
The GD's were very protected, isolated and sheltered from the rough reality of life, and being thrown into the situation they found themselves in would be horrifing enough for them. What really happened that night may never be fully known, but had they been raped, then I'm sure the sorid details would have emerged by now.
How alone, how vulnerable those poor girls were on the Rus, and how abandoned and frightened they must of have without their parents to protect them.
As difficult a suject as rape is, I think it best that this incident be discussed, the issue raised and then resolved so the rumours, the wondering of what happened is laid to rest.