all I said was "rape is rape"

[lizziebelle]

I posted on Facebook that rape is rape, and I am shocked (and frankly appalled) at the number of people, all women mind you, who are defending Roman Polanski. I didn't say anything about how the victim (and remember, she *was* a victim) feels about it. I didn't say anything about his being arrested, or about his conviction, or anything like that. Just, "rape is rape." Oh, and it's also statutory rape, and it's against the law. It's shaken me, to say the least. Do they even realize what they're saying? Rape is *never* OK, no matter who you are.

jimhines has posted a thoughtful piece from the perspective of a rape counselor. Go read it.

wordweaverlynn posted a link to a piece on the Hollywood apologists. Also thought-provoking reading.

I really don't care (and can understand, a little) that the victim (remember her?) wants this to go away. That's not what I'm objecting to. I also don't much care about how/where/why they arrested him, or the deal he made with the judge, or any of that. Here's what I care about:

1. The girl was *13* fricken years old
2. She said *no*
3. He was *convicted*
4. He *fled the country*

That's all.

Comments

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

i strongly suspect that if she'd been hankering after justice all these years...then this would be pretty much a non-issue, for precisely the reasons you state.

I cynically incline towards thinking that if the victim had expressed a desire for justice (or retribution) that would have added fuel to the movement in Polanski's defence.

[sandwell.livejournal.com]

interesting. you think that those defending him would have put up some kind of 'she's only getting at him and harassing him because he's famous' argument?

two words : "Phil Spector". :D

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

I think that if they are able, in all seriousness, to argue that he's suffered enough by being exile for 30 years, then they might argue all the more vehemently that he's suffered exile and the hounding of a vindictive woman.

[sandwell.livejournal.com]

all i'll say is that he hasn't exactly had a *hard* exile, it's not as if he's been living in a refugee camp or anything ...

... i'm not sure anyone could realistically argue he's *suffered* in exile!