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AIBU?

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Original poster

I'm not linking to the DM, but Barrister Barbara Hewsin suggests lowering the age iof consent to stop the scapegoating of old men accused of abuse.

140 replies

INeedThatForkOff · 09/05/2013 08:15

I've been very glad to see that times have moved on since my teachers husband tried to assault me on a Year 9 camping trip. I'd be outraged if what happened to me 20+ years ago happened to my DD now.

However Barbara Hewson suggests that 'misdemeanours' such as Ms Hewson argues that 'touching a 17-year-old?s breast, kissing a 13-year-old, or putting one?s hand up a 16-year-old?s skirt' could be addressed by lowering the age of consent to 13.

It was only a matter of time, I suppose, before views like this were reported.

OP posts:
Original poster
INeedThatForkOff · 09/05/2013 08:16

Excuse the poor cut and paste job.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 09/05/2013 08:17

She needs putting out to pasture

floatyfloni · 09/05/2013 08:19

What?! Yuk. I'm not even going there today.

MrsBertBibby · 09/05/2013 08:19

Here's the original article, for Mail-avoiders.

www.spiked-online.com/site/article/13604/

SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker · 09/05/2013 08:20

You could also reduce the number of drug dealers in prison if you legalised cocaine. Still not a good idea.

MardyBra · 09/05/2013 08:21

I felt a little nauseous watching the pus porn link last night. This makes me feel properly sick.

LeoTheLateBloomer · 09/05/2013 08:21

I find it utterly terrifying that people even think like that, let alone are given a platform to spout their ridiculous ideas Sad

Original poster
INeedThatForkOff · 09/05/2013 08:24

I wonder if she thinks acts of sexual harassment and assault on adult women are unworthy of investigation? That's my inference.

OP posts:
wankerchief · 09/05/2013 08:27

Indeed, she seem ti think groping a legal woman is ok.

Twat

DeepRedBetty · 09/05/2013 08:31

I had steam coming out of my ears when I heard this story last night. Thanks for setting this up so I can not click a DM link.

EllenJanesthickerknickers · 09/05/2013 08:33

Just read it on the BBC website. Yuk and double yuk.

I had a strange conversation on Tuesday with a group of friends, though. They were going on about how 15yos could easily be 16 and that that boundary is tricky. My view was that 18yo boys with 15yo girls was understandable but that 30 yo men with 15 yo girls was something different. My friend then reminded me that she was 16 when she met her then 30 yo husband. They have been married for 26 years. Blush

I still think anyone who uses their position to chat up or fondle girls under 16 is a sad old perv and I don't blame anyone for coming forward. Yes, some may be jumping on the bandwagon, but others may feel that it's the current publicity that will mean they finally may be believed.

mrsdinklage · 09/05/2013 08:33

So if they lower the age of consent to 13 won't these fucking bastards
men say - after being caught molesting an 11 year old but I thought she was 13

Sad
EllenJanesthickerknickers · 09/05/2013 08:34

And fondling anyone without their consent whatever their age ain't right, either.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 09/05/2013 08:34

WTF?

Just mentioned this to my DGM, she thinks that one of the accused must be one of her friends.

It's terrifying that this is coming from a female barrister. Angry

QuintessentialOHara · 09/05/2013 08:35

I agree, she must see her circle of friends implicated and scared she will "fall" with them. Hmm

EllenJanesthickerknickers · 09/05/2013 08:35

Yes, mrsdinklage, it should be more like the 'Think 25' thing for selling alcohol. 'Think 13' would be very scary.

noblegiraffe · 09/05/2013 08:37

It could also be addressed by old men not feeling up young girls. Why didn't she go for that option?

mrsdinklage · 09/05/2013 08:38

What's the whole scapegoating men thing about ?
They rape and molest children - and now their the scapegoats - for what
the children's behaviour FFS

EasilyBored · 09/05/2013 08:38

It doesn't matter if they've been together ages, I would still find it gross for a 30 year old man and a 15 year old to be in a relationship. There's a serious imbalance of power there.

I'm never supposed by the kind of shit some people come out with. Bet she would change her tune if it was get 14 year old being groped.

TheDoctrineOfSnatch · 09/05/2013 08:45

SH has admitted an offence against a nine year old, FFS.

She's saying kissing a 13 year old isn't as bad as gang rape and murder. Well, lots of crimes aren't as bad as other crimes, doesn't mean they aren't crimes.

Sexual activity with someone 13 or over is already classed slightly differently when it comes to sentencing, with an eye on the age gap, any power differential etc.

ExcuseTypos · 09/05/2013 08:47

Agree Easily.

Any 30 year old man who gravitates towards a 15 girl, is in my book a perv.

Don't care what excuse they come up with, they KNOW, it's illegal.

Lets hope this stupid woman gets a lot of flack today. Angry

QuintessentialOHara · 09/05/2013 08:49

She is not fit to do her job if that is her opinion.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 09/05/2013 08:51

I would try my hardest to move out of the country if the age of consent was lowered (which it wont be). It's already low enough.

RooneyMara · 09/05/2013 09:02

'It could also be addressed by old men not feeling up young girls. Why didn't she go for that option?'

Because the poor things can't help themselves, NG - we only have to put temptation in their path and they fall victim to the forces of nature.

Obviously.

Dawndonna · 09/05/2013 09:08

metro article
Disgusting woman with vile ideas.