Canada: Rape victim 'inviting,' so no jail.
A convicted rapist will not go to jail because a Manitoba judge says the victim sent signals that "sex was in the air" through her suggestive attire and flirtatious conduct on the night of the attack.
Kenneth Rhodes was given a two-year conditional sentence last week which allows him to remain free in the community, in a decision likely to trigger strong debate. The Crown wanted at least three years behind bars.
Queen's Bench Justice Robert Dewar called Rhodes a "clumsy Don Juan" who may have misunderstood what the victim wanted when he forced intercourse along a darkened highway outside Thompson in 2006.
Rhodes and a friend met the 26-year-old woman and her girlfriend earlier that night outside a bar under what the judge called "inviting circumstances." Dewar specifically noted the women were wearing tube tops with no bra, high heels and plenty of makeup.
"They made their intentions publicly known that they wanted to party," said Dewar. He said the women spoke of going swimming in a nearby lake that night "notwithstanding the fact neither of them had a bathing suit."
Rest of the article can be found here at the Winnipeg Free Press site.
"This is a case of misunderstood signals and inconsiderate behaviour."
inconsiderate behaviour
I know there are at least a couple people from Winnipeg in this community, so if you're pissed, there's a rally going on tomorrow at the Manitoba Law Courts Building on York, put on by the Campus and Community Women’s Centres. Details at the Facebook page.
A choice quote from Executive Director of the Women’s Health Clinic:
“When a judge ignores the reality of sexual violence and blames a woman for the actions of her attacker, he not only harms the woman but makes it that much more difficult for the next victim to come forward and trust the judicial process. The result - rapists go free.”
Remember folks, curfew is totally an acceptable punishment for rape if she was asking for it. (Sarcasm, obvs.)
Kenneth Rhodes was given a two-year conditional sentence last week which allows him to remain free in the community, in a decision likely to trigger strong debate. The Crown wanted at least three years behind bars.
Queen's Bench Justice Robert Dewar called Rhodes a "clumsy Don Juan" who may have misunderstood what the victim wanted when he forced intercourse along a darkened highway outside Thompson in 2006.
Rhodes and a friend met the 26-year-old woman and her girlfriend earlier that night outside a bar under what the judge called "inviting circumstances." Dewar specifically noted the women were wearing tube tops with no bra, high heels and plenty of makeup.
"They made their intentions publicly known that they wanted to party," said Dewar. He said the women spoke of going swimming in a nearby lake that night "notwithstanding the fact neither of them had a bathing suit."
Rest of the article can be found here at the Winnipeg Free Press site.
"This is a case of misunderstood signals and inconsiderate behaviour."
inconsiderate behaviour
I know there are at least a couple people from Winnipeg in this community, so if you're pissed, there's a rally going on tomorrow at the Manitoba Law Courts Building on York, put on by the Campus and Community Women’s Centres. Details at the Facebook page.
A choice quote from Executive Director of the Women’s Health Clinic:
“When a judge ignores the reality of sexual violence and blames a woman for the actions of her attacker, he not only harms the woman but makes it that much more difficult for the next victim to come forward and trust the judicial process. The result - rapists go free.”
Remember folks, curfew is totally an acceptable punishment for rape if she was asking for it. (Sarcasm, obvs.)