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Although rape-shield laws protect women from having their sexual past discussed at trial, acquaintance-rape defenses continue to “play into these myths about how ‘good’ women act versus ‘bad’ girls,” Long says. “And that it’s the risky behavior of the ‘bad’ girls that somehow invites a rape.” Trials often hinge not on the behavior of the defendant, but rather on whether the woman did enough to protect herself from his advances. From that point of view, Marsalis’s seven accusers had done everything wrong. “We were definitely on trial,” Marie comments drily. “If it was the 1600s, it would have been a stoning.”
This is part of the reason one in six women are sexually assaulted in their lifetime. The myth that most rapists are strangers makes it all the much harder for women to get justice and to protect women in the future.
Most of us assaulted are from people we know - often people we trust.
I'm honestly too angry and sad to say more. Though if you could spread this article, please do. One thing the Boobgate taught me is that many people don't get why the fuck woman can't/won't say no and thus make it okay. Things like this.
ETA: Though I will say the judge in this case acted in the exact type of honor that I admire and gave me some hope.