Thread by @sophiechiaka, “If you get sexually assaulted / raped why wouldn’t you tell the [...]

S.C.A

“If you get sexually assaulted / raped why wouldn’t you tell the police?”

A thread of quotes said by real judges in court during rape trials

“As the gentlemen on the jury will understand, when a woman says no she doesn’t always mean it. Men can’t turn their emotions on and off like a tap like some women can” - Judge Raymond Dean, addressing the jury in a rape trial.

“I hope you’ll be able to keep your well-paid job and the couple of weeks you spend in prison will be treated by employers as part of your holidays” - Judge Gabriel Hutton, speaking to a guilty rapist.

“It seems, on the evidence, that this child has not suffered as a result of these offences” - Judge Hutton, talking about an 8 year old girl who had been sexually abused for a year by a convicted child molester.

A man who sexually assaulted a 9 year old boy needed a chance “to get over his problems” according to Judge Hutton. The man got 2 years probation.

“This was a rare sort of rape. It is not like someone being jumped on in the street. This is within the family and does not impinge on the public.” - Sir Kenneth Jupp, a judge who gave a man a 2 year suspended sentence for raping his ex-wife.

“You showed concern and consideration by wearing a contraceptive” - Judge Arthur Myerson, praising a rapist for wearing a condom. The rapist was given a lighter sentence of 3 years.

”If someone doesn't want to have sexual intercourse, the body shuts down. The body will not permit that to happen unless a lot of damage is inflicted... the victim in this case, although she wasn't necessarily willing, she didn't put up a fight." - Judge Derek Johnson (2008)

“Clearly, a drunk can consent” - Judge Greg Lenehan (2017)

"Why couldn't you just keep your knees together?"
"Why didn't you just sink your bottom down into the basin so he couldn't penetrate you?"
"Pain and sex sometimes go together."
- Judge Robin Camp (2016)

“She has admitted that she used to do all dirty things. It appears that she was inherently abnormal and had sexual instinct from her childhood” - Judge Sadhana Jadhav (2017)

"The court has no doubt that Mr Vallejo is an extraordinarily good man... But great men sometimes do bad things." - Judge Thomas Low, praising a 2x convicted rapist (2017)

“I hope you look at what you’ve been through and try to take something positive out of it...
You learned a lesson about friendship and you learned a lesson about vulnerability” - Judge Jacqueline Hatch, speaking to a woman who was sexually assaulted by a police officer (2012)

"Did you close your legs firmly? Did you close off your female organs?" - Judge María del Carmen Molina Mansilla, to a rape victim (2016)

Because the victim had "taken no physical steps" to encourage her partner to stop sex, this “could hardly be said to support a coherent account of rape.”- Judge Tolson (2019)

“She’s a young girl, 17. Maybe she’s a little overweight but she has a pretty face, no?”
“She was a bit flattered. Maybe it was the first time he showed interest in her.”
Apparently, the 49-year-old attacker “looks good and doesn’t seem his age”. -Judge Jean-Paul Braun (2017)

“other than the ramifications of losing her virginity, which the court does not find to be especially serious harm,” the girl “did not suffer any physical or emotional injuries.” -Judge Marcia Silva, referring to a 12 year old girl who was raped by a 16 year old boy.

“Block your body parts?” Russo asked.

“Yeah,” the woman replied.

“Close your legs? Call the police?” Russo asked. “Did you do any of those things?” - Judge John Russo (2016)

"They made their intentions publicly known that they wanted to party... This is a different case than one where there is no perceived invitation... This is a case of misunderstood signals and inconsiderate behavior." -Judge Robert Dewar. The rapist received no jail time (2006)

"Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." - Michael Sanguinetti, a police officer, not a judge (2011)

"If a woman is wearing provocative clothing, the change needs to come from her." - Ahmed Mahmoud, a policeman in Cairo (2014)

So, as you can see, trials often re-traumatise victims. Sometimes they are made to feel like they’re the one who is on trial, having to prove that it wasn’t their fault. They are accused of not doing enough to stop the attack or told that they are somehow to blame.

Furthermore, in England and Wales, just 1.7% of reported rapes result in prosecution (2019). This means 98.3% of rape victims DON’T get justice. So if you think that a woman should “just go to the police” and all her problems will be magically solved, think again.

In this male-dominated criminal “justice” system, there is no justice for women who are victims of violence, particularly sexual assault and rape.

I would advice victims to speak to someone you trust and seek counselling or therapy if you think it will benefit you (free on the NHS).
IF you feel comfortable and if it makes YOU feel better, report the attack to the police. This is your choice, don’t let anyone pressure you

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