Comments on: Defense Attorney Calls Rape Victims “Whores,” and Worse

By: Noble Savage » Blog Archive » Wanted: an end to rape

Noble Savage » Blog Archive » Wanted: an end to rape — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:52:50 +0000

[...] (though I wouldn’t be surprised if it held up, given some of the ridiculous defenses rapists and their attorneys have used in the past), but this much is [...]

By: jill

jill — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:20:31 +0000

I am not surprised by this court case. Even though I have not had sex for years I have been labeled a “whore”. I have been kicked out of many stores when I have not done anything wrong. Police literally turn their backs toward me out in public when I get threatened by people who threaten to assault me. The message is that because I have been labeled a “whore” I am an outlaw who does not deserve police protection. My doctor seems to give me the wrong medications on purpose. I am treated very badly by practically everyone. All this started to happen in 2005, when I turned 45 years of age. Yes I have a diagnosis but I do not think I am imagining anything. Certainly when you get kicked out of a store for no reason, when people you do not know seem to attempt to knock you down or when people try to inappropriately touch you, you know you are not imagining anything. It is very scary to go out for the reasons listed above. I do not know what to do. People will not leave me alone. They want to be near me. Too near to me. College kids sitting behind me in a bus were attempting to stroke my hair as if I was an animal. I am in a northern city and this situation is very scary.

By: The ReBrook Gambit -- a Nadder!

The ReBrook Gambit -- a Nadder! — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:50:53 +0000

[...] victim-blaming to phantasmagorically obscene heights. Here’s the abridged version [Source|HT] A jury found Thomas H. Gravely, 31, of East Bank guilty of sexually assaulting Charleston [...]

By: melanie

melanie — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:15:42 +0000

this is so sick. i can’t even believe it’s real. i really hope that guy experienced some kind of backlash for that at the very least.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:30:56 +0000

Thanks for sharing this, although it is appalling, the world ought to be informed about “lawyers” like this and their opinions on rape and women. Thank you for this and all your posts.

By: factcheckme

factcheckme — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:23:55 +0000

rape is fundamentally and historically a crime against not the woman but her *family*. dont forget that this ancient mindet persists (as if you could). by reminding the jury that this man “only” rapes hookers, the defense attorney was telling the jury “dont worry, this rape isnt about you.” this woman wasnt a member of your family, therefore YOU havent been dishonored.

its hard enough to get a rape conviction on behalf of any victim, but i imagine its alot easier to get one if the jury feels that THEY have been victimized. its still not about the victim, but if the jury can relate, they can punish the rapist as angry, disgraced family members, on their own behalf. the suffering of the rape victim is almost always irrelevant in this context.

this defense attorney knows what he is doing. and…i agree that ethics charges against both he and the judge should be forthcoming.

http://factcheckme.wordpress.com/

By: abyss2hope

abyss2hope — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:35:23 +0000

The descriptors ReBrook used only explains why his client found this particular crime so easy to justify. All those who accept this excuse that certain women can’t be raped are accepting rape.

“Real” rape victims are used only as self-defense against true allegations that a particular person supports rape and wants others to do so as well. If ReBrook were defending a husband charged with raping his wife the glorification used in this case would be tossed out in an instant.

I also agree that the judge was wrong to let this rant of bigotry continue.

By: Yolanda C.

Yolanda C. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:31:58 +0000

Assistant Prosecutor Fred Giggenbach immediately asked Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman to stop ReBrook, but he did not.

Both ReBrook and Kaufman need to be brought up on ethics charges, pronto. Giggenbach, the survivors, and whoever else was in that courtroom witnessing this shit need to file a complaint as soon as possible. ReBrook’s behavior in open court violates every foundation of due process and equal protection under the law.

Being a sexist asshole is one thing—being an abusive and unethical attorney is quite another.

By: Liz Barnes

Liz Barnes — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:48:56 +0000

I am a transplant to the state of WV from a more liberal state up north and it has been eye opening about the way people think out here well more downright frightening. This makes me well quite enraged and I have to agree with Therese how the heck did this idiot get a law degree?I hang my head for this state I really do but then again it is a larger scale problem as well. Horrible just horrid.

By: Therese

Therese — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:54:07 +0000

sex workers are one of the most vulnerable groups with high chances of being raped… how on earth did this idiot get a law degree? don’t you need to be logical and smart? the drivel coming out of his mouth makes no sense.