Written by an early feminist highlighting the differences between rape trials and other criminal cases, she asked her readers to imagine a robbery victim being questioned as rape victims are on the stand:
Counsel: Mr. Smith, you were held up at gun-point at the corner of First and Main?
Victim: Yes
Counsel: Did you struggle with the robber?
Victim: No.
Counsel: Why not?
Victim: He was armed.
Counsel: Then you made a conscious decision to comply with his demands rather than resist?
Victim: Yes.
Counsel: Did you scream? Cry out?
Victim: No, I was afraid.
Counsel: I see. Have you ever been held up before?
Victim: No.
Counsel: Have you ever given money away?
Victim: Yes, of course.
Counsel: And you did so willingly?
Victim: What are you getting at?
Counsel: Well, let's put it like this, Mr. Smith. You've given money away in the past. In fact, you've got quite a reputation for philanthropy. How can we be sure that you weren't contriving to have your money taken from you by force?
Counsel continues, questioning Mr. Smith about what he wore, where he walked, and when
Counsel: In other words, Mr. Smith, you were walking around the streets late at night in a suit that practically advertised the fact that you might be a good target for easy money, isn't that so? I mean, if we didn't know better, Mr. Smith, we might even think you were asking for this to happen, mightn't we?
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copied from Rachel's Blog. ^_^
