Something to think about....
Yes, yes, I know I have posted a lot today, but Tish made me think of this- so here it is for you all to check out and think about.
Peace-
Lizette
The "Rape" of Mr. Smith
The law discriminates against rape victims in a manner that would not be tolerated by victims of any other crime. In the following example, a holdup vicitm is asked questions similar to those usually asked a survivor of rape.
"Mr. Smith, were you held up at gunpoint on the corner of Mayfield and Campus?"
"Yes."
"Did you struggle with the robber?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"He was armed."
"Then you made a conscious decision to comply with his demands rather than to resist?"
"Yes."
"Did you scream? Cry out?"
"No. I was afraid."
"I see. Have you ever been held up before?"
"No."
"Have you ever given money away?"
"Yes, of course--"
"And did you do so willingly?"
"What are you getting at?"
"Well, let's put it like this, Mr. Smith. You've given money away in the past-- in fact, you have quite a reputation of philanthropy. How can we be sure that you were'nt contriving to have the money taken from you by force?"
"Listen, if I wanted--"
"Never mind. What time did this holdup take place, Mr Smith?"
"About 11pm."
"You were out on the streets at 11pm? Doing what?"
"Just walking."
"Just walking? You know that it's dangerous being out on the streets that late at night. Weren't you aware that you could have been help up?"
"I hadn't thought about it."
"What were you wearing at the time, Mr. Smith?"
"Let's see. A suit. Yes, a suit."
"An expensive suit?"
"Well-- yes."
"In other words, Mr. Smith, you were walking around the streets late at night in a suit that practically advertised the fact that you might be a good target for some easy money, is that so? I mean, if we didn't know better, we might think that you were asking for this to happend, mightn't we?"
"Look, can't we talk about the past history of the guy that did this to me?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Smith, you wouldn't want to violate his rights, now would you?"
Peace-
Lizette
The "Rape" of Mr. Smith
The law discriminates against rape victims in a manner that would not be tolerated by victims of any other crime. In the following example, a holdup vicitm is asked questions similar to those usually asked a survivor of rape.
"Mr. Smith, were you held up at gunpoint on the corner of Mayfield and Campus?"
"Yes."
"Did you struggle with the robber?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"He was armed."
"Then you made a conscious decision to comply with his demands rather than to resist?"
"Yes."
"Did you scream? Cry out?"
"No. I was afraid."
"I see. Have you ever been held up before?"
"No."
"Have you ever given money away?"
"Yes, of course--"
"And did you do so willingly?"
"What are you getting at?"
"Well, let's put it like this, Mr. Smith. You've given money away in the past-- in fact, you have quite a reputation of philanthropy. How can we be sure that you were'nt contriving to have the money taken from you by force?"
"Listen, if I wanted--"
"Never mind. What time did this holdup take place, Mr Smith?"
"About 11pm."
"You were out on the streets at 11pm? Doing what?"
"Just walking."
"Just walking? You know that it's dangerous being out on the streets that late at night. Weren't you aware that you could have been help up?"
"I hadn't thought about it."
"What were you wearing at the time, Mr. Smith?"
"Let's see. A suit. Yes, a suit."
"An expensive suit?"
"Well-- yes."
"In other words, Mr. Smith, you were walking around the streets late at night in a suit that practically advertised the fact that you might be a good target for some easy money, is that so? I mean, if we didn't know better, we might think that you were asking for this to happend, mightn't we?"
"Look, can't we talk about the past history of the guy that did this to me?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Smith, you wouldn't want to violate his rights, now would you?"