Young man accused of sexually assaulting 52-year-old woman

Joe Xuereb

Jan 25th 2009, 12:00

@Rosemarie Dorekens. I think I made it perfectly clear that I was not against anybody doing anything. I merely pointed out anybody can do anything (including 52 year-old women) and, given we do not live in Utopia, anything can happen and we have to be mindful of that. If/when things go wrong, then it becomes a matter of humble conscience ie asking, was it wise in doing this, was it wise in going there. The bottom line is that total freedom with impunity is not an option. I made this perfectly clear. The young man should not have assaulted the woman. Being in a club late at night is what young men do. Next time, goodness forbid! he could be stabbed in a brawl, approached by a drug-dealer, even taken for a ride by a hooker with sick agendas. It is called life and risk-taking. Time was when one took a flight somewhere. After take-off one crossed oneself (if that way inclined), dozed and woke up at one's destination. But not anymore. Now there is checking and re-checking and the ever-present possibility of hijack. Unlike, but...... Times have changed you see. We have to deal with whatever.

Rosemarie Dorekens

Jan 25th 2009, 01:45

@ Mr Joe Xuereb

So a 25 year old guy can drink alone in a bar and a 52 year old woman cannot? Isn't this sexism? Dah

Joe Xuereb

Jan 24th 2009, 17:06

cont./ The stark reality is that a young man of 25 in a club late at night is perfectly usual. Which is not to say that he is not vulnerable to any number of dangers, in spite, or because he is a fit young man. On the other hand, a woman on the threshold of old age (and we do not know how she presented or projected herself), in a drinking establishment, late at night, is a bit more dubious. She too is very vulnerable. And to all those hand-wringers pleading why cannot a woman go about her business unmolested. The answer is idealism is one thing. The reality something else. We have to deal with the discomfort of reality. If you do not want to fall off Beachy Head, do not walk on the edge of the cliffs as even a no wind forecast can suddenly turn into a hurricane thereabouts. (Beachy Head is a romantic beauty-spot on the South coast of the UK and distressingly, a frequent scene of many a would-be suicide attempt, unfortunately all too often successful.

Joe Xuereb

Jan 24th 2009, 16:51

It is impossible to comment without knowing the background to this. It would be unfair to try to. How much alcohol was involved is a realistic question. Also, usually a 52 year old woman is a grandmother baby-sitting her grandchildren. If unmarried, spending time drinking in a club with young men smacks of desperation maybe, trying to prove that the pulling-powers are still there, a last(?) - il-garra gejja w sejra fl-ahhar tinkiser comes to mind - stab at letting one's hair down. All kinds of possibilities, all perfectly plausible. But please do not tell me she was just having a quick Coke at whatever time it was in the morning. The young toy-boy - and that is what he categorises himself as, wittingly or otherwise, the minute he consorts with a much older woman, in such a place, at such a time, and regardless of her agenda (before I stand accused of insinuating that she was looking for a toy-boy), he should never have even started to begin to think of doing what he was accused of. But people can have the squeakiest of clean intentions. Things happen. Lesson to learn is that situations can get out of hand.

Marianna Galea Xuereb

Jan 24th 2009, 13:57

@S Fenech
I fully agree. These days you cannot even look forward to middle or even old age as allowing a reasonable measure of immunity from unwanted sexual advances. Up till a few years ago middle aged women were fully entitled to expect that they could safely accept a lift home from a much younger acquaintance at least.

I wonder, does this have to do with the increased legal acceptability of using sexual images everywhere to sell or market absolutely everything? Many other much more civilized and modern countries are taking measures to reverse this marketing trend. I believe this is one action the Maltese Islands should follow, apart from educating all children and youngsters to have more respect for others and making no excuses about “us having Latin blood”.

A Mangion

Jan 23rd 2009, 14:55

@ S Fenech

May I ask: What wwas HE doing with a 52 year old woman!!!

I. Scerri

Jan 23rd 2009, 14:51

@S. Fenech
Welcome to western civilisation, where women are actually allowed out by themselves.

T Mifsud

Jan 23rd 2009, 14:38

@S Fenech

I don't think its anyone's business. It was not consensual so what matters is the assault or unwanted sex.

S. Fenech

Jan 23rd 2009, 14:02

Sorry if I ask, but what was a 52 year old woman doing with a 25 year old man in a Club and then in his car?