Saturday, February 14, 2009

The Rape of Mr. Smith

The law discriminates against rape victims in a manner which would not be tolerated by victims of any other crime. In the following example, a holdup victim is asked questions similar in form to those usually asked a victim of rape.

Officer: "Mr. Smith, you were held up at gunpoint on the corner of 16th and Locust?"

Mr. Smith: "Yes."


Officer: "Did you struggle with the robber?"

Mr. Smith: "No."


Officer: "Why not?"

Mr. Smith"He was armed."


Officer:"Then you made a conscious decision to comply with his demands rather
than to resist?"

Mr. Smith:"Yes."


Officer: "Did you scream? Cry
out?"

Mr. Smith:"No. I was afraid."


Officer:"I see. Have you ever been held up before?"

Mr. Smith:"No."


Officer: "Have you ever given money away?"

Mr. Smith: "Yes, of course--"


Officer: "And did you do so willingly?"

Mr. Smith: "What are you getting at?"


Officer: "Well, let's put it like this, Mr. Smith. You've given away money in the past--in fact, you have quite a reputation for philanthropy. How can we be sure that you weren't contriving to have your money taken from you by force?"

Mr. Smith: "Listen, if I wanted--"


Officer: "Never mind. What time did this holdup take place, Mr. Smith?"

Mr. Smith: "About 11 p.m."


Officer: "You were out on the streets at 11 p.m.? Doing what?"

Mr. Smith: "Just walking."


Officer: "Just walking? You know it's dangerous being out on the street that late at night. Weren't you aware that you could have been held up?"

Mr. Smith: "I hadn't thought about it."


Officer: "What were you wearing at the time, Mr. Smith?"

Mr. Smith: "Let's see. A suit. Yes, a suit."


Officer: "An expensive suit?"

Mr. Smith: "Well--yes.
"

Officer: "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, isn't that so? I mean, if we didn't know better, Mr. Smith, we might even think you were asking for this to happen, mightn't we?"

Mr. Smith: "Look, can't we talk about the past history of the guy who
did this to me?"

Officer: "I'm afraid not, Mr. Smith. I don't think you would want to violate his rights, now, would you?"

5 comments:

Hell Fire Furious Muslimah said...

SAY WHAT!!!! OMG!!! PLEASE! This was just rediculous what these darm lawyers are always trying to pull.

nida said...

This is why I hate Law!!! Hate it!

Stupid how they manipulate the truth, and I don't even understand those who would represent murderes and fight to let them go free?? and Fight to get inocent peple behind bars... Their logic is just sickening!

Candice said...

It is so true...

Rene´s Bare Essentials said...

I work with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and i have seen the impact this type of questioning has on them. The system is set up in such a way to discourage victims from testifying or even filing a report.

The Gori Wife said...

This is the way it's portrayed in movies and such, and unfortunately that actual did happen in the past, but the law had really progressed since then, and the Federal Rules of Evidence have actually adopted provisions that a woman's past sexual history cannot be brought up in a rape case. Most courts these days follow that, thank god.