Germaine Greer's views on rape and anonymity

[En_Route]

Anonymity is bad because it interferes with the discovery process in legal proceedings.

I don't see how. It's not as though the victim isn't known-- the victim's name isn't released. And as I understand it, discovery refers to the defendant having the right to know what evidence will be used against him, so he can prepare a defense. Keeping the victim's name out of the press doesn't hinder that at all.

Quite.

[hadespussercats]

Yet?

Amended..

[JimC]

Her point may be valid in theory, but she is demanding an emotional strength from victims that may not be easy to come by...

[En_Route]

Her point may be valid in theory, but she is demanding an emotional strength from victims that may not be easy to come by...

True, a lot of victims probably do feel dirtied or ashamed. That may be irrational, but it would require a major mindshift to change the status quo. So Greer logically ought to be arguing for a long-term process of re-education, not trying to coerce people into submitting themselves to perceived humiliation (or more likely deterring victims from pressing charges). There is a huge arrogance (and indeed lack of empathy) on her part when she decrees:"We have all got to have the courage". No, we don't.

[charlou]

Her point may be valid in theory, but she is demanding an emotional strength from victims that may not be easy to come by...

True, a lot of victims probably do feel dirtied or ashamed.

..or too traumatised ... or unsupported .. or simply a very private person for their own reasons ..

That may be irrational, but it would require a major mindshift to change the status quo. So Greer logically ought to be arguing for a long-term process of re-education, not trying to coerce people into submitting themselves to perceived humiliation (or more likely deterring victims from pressing charges). There is a huge arrogance (and indeed lack of empathy) on her part when she decrees:"We have all got to have the courage". No, we don't.

Agree, but there's no malice, just somewhat misguided principle. There's a genuine desire to improve things ..and there's empathy in that, at least.

[En_Route]

Her point may be valid in theory, but she is demanding an emotional strength from victims that may not be easy to come by...

True, a lot of victims probably do feel dirtied or ashamed.

..or too traumatised ... or unsupported .. or simply a very private person for their own reasons ..

That may be irrational, but it would require a major mindshift to change the status quo. So Greer logically ought to be arguing for a long-term process of re-education, not trying to coerce people into submitting themselves to perceived humiliation (or more likely deterring victims from pressing charges). There is a huge arrogance (and indeed lack of empathy) on her part when she decrees:"We have all got to have the courage". No, we don't.

Agree, but there's no malice, just somewhat misguided principal .. it's a genuine desire to improve things ..and there's empathy in that, at least.

I agree that the motivations for anonymity are likely to go well beyond an arguably misplaced sense of shame. All the more reason I would say to preserve the right to it.
In fact, people who espouse grand causes often lack empathy at the individual level. Of course Greer is not being malicious, but her buck-yourself-up attitude and attendant failure to make due allowance for what she might see as human frailty, would I think end up in practice harming those whom she is purporting to champion.

[Rum]

True enough. But despite her lack of sensitivity..or because of it perhaps, she may have done more to improve the lot of women in the west since the mid 60s than almost anyone.

[En_Route]

True enough. But despite her lack of sensitivity..or because of it perhaps, she may have done more to improve the lot of women in the west since the mid 60s than almost anyone.

I think you might be overestimating her role.

[Tyrannical]

Anonymity is bad because it interferes with the discovery process in legal proceedings.

I don't see how. It's not as though the victim isn't known-- the victim's name isn't released. And as I understand it, discovery refers to the defendant having the right to know what evidence will be used against him, so he can prepare a defense. Keeping the victim's name out of the press doesn't hinder that at all.

What if the rape "victim" had a habit of lying, which is not an impossibility. If their name was known other people could come forward and offer evidence against the accuser's believability. Perhaps she had threatened to falsely cry rape against a former boyfriend that threatened to break up with her previously?

[hadespussercats]

Anonymity is bad because it interferes with the discovery process in legal proceedings.

I don't see how. It's not as though the victim isn't known-- the victim's name isn't released. And as I understand it, discovery refers to the defendant having the right to know what evidence will be used against him, so he can prepare a defense. Keeping the victim's name out of the press doesn't hinder that at all.

What if the rape "victim" had a habit of lying, which is not an impossibility. If their name was known other people could come forward and offer evidence against the accuser's believability. Perhaps she had threatened to falsely cry rape against a former boyfriend that threatened to break up with her previously?

Wouldn't the defense have a stake in conducting investigations for that sort of thing, regardless? As I understand it, character assassination of the plaintiff is generally job one for the defendant.

If you want any sympathy from me about this issue, you'd have to shift focus to demanding anonymity for defendants in rape cases as well, rather than taking it away from plaintiffs.

[Rum]

True enough. But despite her lack of sensitivity..or because of it perhaps, she may have done more to improve the lot of women in the west since the mid 60s than almost anyone.

I think you might be overestimating her role.

On reflection I think you are right. She was however probably the most influential feminist of her time I would say. No small thing.

[rainbow]

Anonymity is bad because it interferes with the discovery process in legal proceedings.

I can't decide whether your remark is stupid, or ignorant.

[En_Route]

True enough. But despite her lack of sensitivity..or because of it perhaps, she may have done more to improve the lot of women in the west since the mid 60s than almost anyone.

I think you might be overestimating her role.

On reflection I think you are right. She was however probably the most influential feminist of her time I would say. No small thing.

Definitely her finest hour .

[rainbow]

True enough. But despite her lack of sensitivity..or because of it perhaps, she may have done more to improve the lot of women in the west since the mid 60s than almost anyone.

I think you might be overestimating her role.

On reflection I think you are right. She was however probably the most influential feminist of her time I would say. No small thing.

Definitely her xir finest hour .

Fixed.