To the judge who asked a rape victim why she couldn't keep her knees together:
I refuse to say your name in this letter because it does not deserve recognition, and you undoubtedly know who you are. I refuse to address you as a judge because you have failed to follow the requirements of your job in a professional manner and do not deserve that title.
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When a 19-year old girl came to you seeking justice after being raped over a sink at a part, you had the audacity to ask her why she couldn't keep her knees together. Rather than receiving your support and listening to her story, she had to deal with your deplorable and disgusting comments all while watching her rapist be defended by someone whose job is to serve justice. But you didn't stop there.
You went on to offer her advice on what she could have done to avoid being raped. You said she should have "skewed her pelvis" to avoid being penetrated. Need I remind you that rape by definition is unlawful sexual activity, usually sexual intercourse, carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will of an individual. This was not her fault and to ever say rape is the victim's fault is one of the many reasons rape continues to happen. But you didn't stop there.
You stated that young women want to have sex, particularly when they are drunk and that sometimes sex and pain go together and it is not necessarily a bad thing. I'm not sure what sort of sexual fantasies you have, but your kinks are not cause for justifying why this woman's body was assaulted in the way that it was. When a woman says no, it is no. When a woman says yes, it is yes. There is no in between.
You of all people should know that there are laws protecting intoxicated individuals from making decisions regarding sexual acts. Drinking alcohol does not void the need for consent let alone serve as valid argument for another person to assault someone who is drinking. It seems though, that you are unaware of these laws, in addition to being unaware of your job as a judge. And sadly, you didn't stop there.
You chose to acquit her attacker and offer him advice for him and his male friends. You told them they "have to be far more gentle with women. They have to be far more patient. And they have to be very careful. To protect themselves, they have to be very careful". Instead of holding this man responsible for his actions you offered him advice on how to fulfill his sexual wishes. You told him and all of the other attackers in the world that next time they should be more careful to protect themselves. Instead of protecting that woman by holding him accountable you shook your finger at him for not being more careful.
You re-victimized this woman in front of her rapist, a courtroom, and in front of the eyes of the whole world. A world full of women, little girls, and teens who will more than likely face some sort of sexual assault in their life, whether it be catcalling, rape, sexual assault, or abuse. The day you made those comments you told all of those women that their pain and trauma could have been avoided. You told those women that their stories do not matter because it was their fault. You took their trauma, their pain, their suffering and placed it into their hands, after they brought it to you, all while telling their attackers that they could have avoided the trouble by being more careful.
It is appalling that your status as a judge is considered something up for debate after the statements you made. Those statements and actions should never be tolerated. Whether it be a judge in a courtroom, a swimmer in college, or an NFL player, all attackers should be held accountable. And all people who continue to perpetuate rape culture should have consequences, as I hope and pray you do. For the sake of humanity.
Sincerely,
Jo
