Construction worker denies rape charge

Claudia Cassar

Dec 4th 2008, 15:10

We are also missing a crucial point- rapists are not motivated by sexual desire but by violent and aggressive urges. From time immemorial, systematic and constant rapes were part of the spoils of war. It is anger, power and sadism which drive and motivate a rapist, sexual gratification is merely a minor factor. In view of all this, what the victim was wearing becomes very irrelevant indeed.
I would like to conclude by saying that whereas the world indeed not perfect nor fair, the judicial system should strive to be so - and this is why we should not ‘make allowances’ when dealing with cases such as this one. In most Western countries, the defence of provocation is not accepted as a mitigation for rape. If found guilty, the rapist should be given the full punishment that he justly deserves.

Claudia Cassar

Dec 4th 2008, 15:09

Of course all women are different, and we all have different ideas as to what looks good and what doesn’t. The public has a right to form opinions about women based on what they are wearing, but these opinions are more often than not biased, and heavily influenced by our own preconceived ideas and values. In other words, what may be inviting and provocative to Mr X might not cause the same reaction in Mr Y. I agree with Mr Sammut that being prudent and street-wise is an important quality that women should possess, but it is inconceivable to accept that a lack of prudence should be punished by brutal and violent rape.
Theft and rape are two very different things. The former is a crime against your property- while it is still devastating and violating for the victim, a car can be replaced. The latter is a crime against your person- I assure you that no rape victim ever quite feels the same again. To compare the two is careless, flippant and insensitive

Claudia Cassar

Dec 4th 2008, 15:07

What does ‘asking for it’ actually mean? Studies show that many men assume that a woman is attracted to them, that she is flirting with them even when she is actually not…men often wrongly interpret female signals and body language so that a smile or a pat on the back suddenly becomes ‘she wants me’.In the same way many men seem to believe that a woman in a short skirt or a low cut top is easy meat, that she is ‘asking for it’- but I cannot understand the link between the desire to look sexy and attractive and wanting to be forcefully and violently raped.
It may surprise you to find out that many women do not dress to attract the men around them- indeed most men will not realise or care if you are wearing last season or this season’s dress. Women do not ‘get dolled up to be considered by a man’- most of the time a man will be attracted to a woman whatever she’s wearing- within reasonable limits of course. Most of the time women dress for themselves, a flattering and attractive outfit makes a woman feel good about herself.Women also dress for other women.

Giancarlo Refalo

Nov 28th 2008, 22:24

@ Claudia Cassar.

What do you expect though? Men and women today are not perfect!! If a man or woman claims that they were tempted its a poor excuse. But would the act have been committed if the victim had behaved differently prior to it? If a woman wears a bikini on the beach she is probably surrounded by people. Everybody is in their swimsuits. I think the example you gave there is a poor one. And no, we are not the ones who should judge what a person should or should not wear. But yes, we are affected by it. That's why fashion exists after all. Fashion is an expression of who a person is. Therefore a person wearing provocative clothing is giving out a provocative message. If clothes were only there to keep warm everybody would go out on a friday night in wooly jumpers, scarves, gloves, warm trousers and thick socks under warm boots. or a t-shirt in summer. The real problem here is why are girls (in this case) made to feel that they must doll themselves up more and more to be considered by a man? do they consider the message they're sending out?

Charles Sammut

Nov 28th 2008, 20:12

@ Claudia Cassar

My comments have nothing to do with the case above. I do not know the details and it is sub judice in any case.

This world is not perfect and neither is it fair. Your arguments assume both.

If certain women "are not asking for it" then why do they behave as though they are? This sends very confusing signals. After all the humans are still animals deep down.

If you park your car with the keys in the ignition and it gets stolen, you know what the insurance company will tell you? "You asked for it, it was dumb of you and we are not going to pay you. "

"men and women are supposedly equals." But they are different, and not just physically. Blame nature or God if you will but that's the way it was created. It would be good if men had an on/off switch, but they don't. So one should make allowances for that and be a teeny wee prudent and street-wise.

Claudia Cassar

Nov 28th 2008, 15:32

We must combat these these misheld beliefs in our society so that more rapists could be brought to trial. Otherwise, some rapists will continue to roam free either because victims do not report the crime, or because they are acquitted/ given mitigated sentences due to this mistaken idea that the victim deserved to be raped. The next time, it could be your sister, your girlfriend or your mother, and she could perhaps be wearing jeans and a sweater.

Claudia Cassar

Nov 28th 2008, 15:32

Unfortunately, when a person is raped he or she is more often made to feel like they themselves are on trial. Her motives, her dress and her actions become suspect not only to law enforcement officials but also to the family and friends. The victim’s credibility may be questioned and sexual activity and private life may be made public. It is because of this guilt, embarrassment and humiliation that rape has been a highly underreported crime.
The ‘what was she wearing?’ debate is very irrelevant: a woman has a right to wear whatever she feels comfortable in. Who are we to judge what is too much, and what is too little? Is it ok for a woman to be raped on the beach because she is wearing a bikini? I think it’s about time that men accept responsibility for their actions, They pride themselves on being the ‘stronger’ , more rational and level-headed sex and yet they often resort to the times of Adam and Eve claiming that they were tempted, or seduced by the ‘evil’ woman, excuses which have been done to death and which surely have no place in a society where men and women are supposedly equals.

Claudia Cassar

Nov 28th 2008, 15:31

I think some of the comments posted here are treading on very dangerous ground. I’m surprised to see that many people still subscribe to the ‘she asked for it’ attitude when it comes to rape and sexual assault. Unfortunately, prosecution of rape is being hampered by these sexist cultural attitudes that assume victims of sexual assault lead men on.
One commonly believed myth is that rape is primarily a sexual act. It is not: rape is a callous and brutal crime and it is violent aggression which motivates the rapist, and not sexual desire. The rapist is spurred on by a desire to dominate his victim. The woman no more wants to be raped than a person who carries money wants to be robbed! Rape is a crime of violence, often regarded by the woman as a life-threatening act during which she feels extremely fearful and humiliated.

rborg

Nov 28th 2008, 11:40

Let us await the outcome of the Court's decision first before we start erroneously declaring people guilty. Nobody knows what happened exactly - it is only accusations based on suspicions. If the Court decides that the man is guilty then everybody can judge him as may be. But for now, let us wait.

I wish to recount a personal experience. Me and my friends were in a local bar, minding our own business. this gorgeous lady comes up to me, starts chatting me up and what not. She looks lovely and looks like she stays in shape - knows how to talk, how to joke - in a few words good company. she starts telling me that maybe it s a good idea to go some place else, some place quiet. everyone is catching the drift?

When I ask her, her age, she says it's 17. She doens't look a day younger than 20. who was going to be the victim in that case?

V Farrugia

Nov 28th 2008, 06:55

I think that one of the problems is that we are sexualizing young girls at a too young age. We all see 3 year old sing and dance to popular tunes, and find them to be cute. Fast forward a few years, and these same cute girls want to dress up like their idols. No harm there IF our daughters were protected with the same entourage of bodyguards that pop stars have! By the time that a girl is in her early teens, one can feel the pressure from all the media, that a girl HAS TO be pretty, sexy, and very, very slim to be popular with her friends and to be accepted by society at large. Those girls who aren't pretty, aren't very slim or in some way don't conform to the ideal of tall, very slim, with a large bust size do all that they can to reach this ideal, because of course, no one wants to be an outcast! So of course you find 15 year old girls dressed up as tarts, as they know no better. What role models do they have?! Only the ones that they see on MTV.

Who's the victim?!

Giancarlo Refalo

Nov 28th 2008, 02:01

You can never justify it. or condone it. But heck, I know what Mark Miceli Paris means. I wouldn't go so far as to call the guy a victim, however. A grown man should always be in control of his actions. But, as Charles Sammut said, for one who is not entirely in control, or for one who is not entirely a man come to that, then some of the meat on offer in Paceville is easy bait. I guess a girl has the right to wear whatever she wants. but for goodness sake don't wander about alone if you're wearing a belt for a skirt. carry pepper spray if necessary (is it legal in Malta?!) Whatever. I know a girl should not be made to feel threatened because of what she wears but she should be at least fully aware of the effect she's having on the men around her. especially after they've had a few drinks.

The girl in this case if definitely the victim. Even had she been parading nude in front of him she'd have been the victim. because a grown man should know better than to do anything with a 15 year old.

Bernardine Sciberras

Nov 27th 2008, 19:22

A person is guilty of rape even if the victim concerned is a prostitute. Rape is an offence against the dignity of the individual, who has full control of his body and is the sole authority over it. No matter how provocative a woman may be in her appearance, no one in the world can infringe upon her right to decide what to do with her body. One of the things which distinguishes adult sex from rape is in fact consent.

Charles Sammut

Nov 27th 2008, 14:11

@ Irene Galea

What I think Mark Miceli Paris is hinting is that, for example, you don't expect to walk down the road with a wad of €100 bills sticking out of your back pocket and not get them lifted. It's wrong and illegal of course but one has to keep in mind that not everyone puts legality before temptation and gratification.

Irene Galea

Nov 27th 2008, 12:02

what about the 15 year old girls in paceville, Mark? Why do you wonder who the victim is? please explain.

Mark Miceli Paris

Nov 27th 2008, 10:26

Legally, if this happened, he should be punished - it's rape.
But please, let's be honest - and think about the 15-year old girls in Paceville......
Sometimes I wonder whose the victim!

Maria Dolores Fenech

Nov 26th 2008, 17:35

What is happening in Malta? Is it my impression only or lately there has been an increase in the number of rapes (at least reported)? I hope if he is guilty, he gets what he deserves.