Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Why is it so?
I read an interesting letter to the editor in my local paper today. I can't share it verbatim, because I didn't bring the paper home, but the sentiments went something like this:
Why is it that the law treats rape victims so differently from the victims of any other crime?
Can you imagine this scenario. A man is walking down the street. He is physically attacked and has his wallet and watch stolen. The perpetrator is caught and the case goes to court. The victim is questioned by the defence lawyer.
Lawyer: Where were you when the alleged offence occurred?
Victim: Walking down the street
L: What time of day was this?
V: About 11pm
L: Had you been drinking?
V: I'd called in to the pub and had one drink after working late
L: Was the street well-lit? Were there many other people around?
V: No, it was quite dark and deserted
L: So you had chosen to walk along a dark and deserted street, affected by alcohol, in the middle of the night. What were you wearing at the time.
V: A business suit
L: So you deliberately put yourself in the position of walking alone along a deserted, dark street in the middle of the night, somewhat the worse for drink, dressed in clothes that would advertise your affluence. Don't you think this might have been unduly provocative towards a person who wanted what you so obviously had? Had you ever walked along this street before?
V: Yes, often, it is on my way home
L: So you made a habit of getting tiddly, walking the streets in the middle of the night tempting those less fortunate by your manner and dress?
L: Have you ever given money away?
V: Of course I have
L: So you put yourself in a vulnerable position, one designed to tempt a certain behaviour by my client and you are now complaining of being robbed of the very thing you have at other times given away for free.
Moral: No matter how a woman dresses or how many beers she's had, or how many times she's had sex, she should be free to walk wherever she chooses without fear of being raped.
Obvious really, isn't it, but it seems not everyone is equal before the law!
Why is it that the law treats rape victims so differently from the victims of any other crime?
Can you imagine this scenario. A man is walking down the street. He is physically attacked and has his wallet and watch stolen. The perpetrator is caught and the case goes to court. The victim is questioned by the defence lawyer.
Lawyer: Where were you when the alleged offence occurred?
Victim: Walking down the street
L: What time of day was this?
V: About 11pm
L: Had you been drinking?
V: I'd called in to the pub and had one drink after working late
L: Was the street well-lit? Were there many other people around?
V: No, it was quite dark and deserted
L: So you had chosen to walk along a dark and deserted street, affected by alcohol, in the middle of the night. What were you wearing at the time.
V: A business suit
L: So you deliberately put yourself in the position of walking alone along a deserted, dark street in the middle of the night, somewhat the worse for drink, dressed in clothes that would advertise your affluence. Don't you think this might have been unduly provocative towards a person who wanted what you so obviously had? Had you ever walked along this street before?
V: Yes, often, it is on my way home
L: So you made a habit of getting tiddly, walking the streets in the middle of the night tempting those less fortunate by your manner and dress?
L: Have you ever given money away?
V: Of course I have
L: So you put yourself in a vulnerable position, one designed to tempt a certain behaviour by my client and you are now complaining of being robbed of the very thing you have at other times given away for free.
Moral: No matter how a woman dresses or how many beers she's had, or how many times she's had sex, she should be free to walk wherever she chooses without fear of being raped.
Obvious really, isn't it, but it seems not everyone is equal before the law!
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