BBC reporting on Tim Westwood - TW

footballmom43 · 2022-07-13T14:57:14+00:00

Is it just me, or is the BBC reporting on Tim Westwood's alleged misdemeanours totally misogynistic and smacking of victim blaming? It really irked me that the headline describes him as 'having sex' with a 14 year old. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62126645 No 14 year old can consent to sex, and therefore, any sexual activity is assault or rape and should be described as such. AIBU?

daretodenim · 13/07/2022 16:17

I agree. It's rape.

It does say it's illegal further down, but WTAF is sex with a minor - why is sex with a 14 year old illegal in the first place?! Cos it's sex with someone who cannot consent, therefore it's rape. FFS.

I checked the DM because it likes explosive headlines and doesn't like the BBC and it's using the same wording. Strange too because it's a wordy phrase which could be replaced with one word. Makes me wonder if there's a legal reason for it? Can't think what though.

noradelphine · 13/07/2022 16:20

I noticed this too.

They need to call it what it is.

EsmeSusanOgg · 13/07/2022 16:21

They're being very careful in their legal terminology, likely after review by lawyers, to not prejudice any possible criminal charges. 14-year-olds cannot consent, but the formal legal charge in England and Wales is sexual activity with a minor, not rape. There is a different charge for sex with under 16s who are over 12, to those who are 12 and under. In the article it cites another case that would qualify as a rape charge as it was post 2003. Another complicating factor with historic charges is, the accused can only be charged and sentenced based on the law at the time of the crime. Unfortunately, sexual offensives legislation was much weaker in the 1990s than now (and tbh, it could be beefed up some more now). The reporting will be very carefully factual, especially as police may now act, which brings contempt of court rules into play. I think the article is good, and the product of solid investigative journalism. What is depressing is yet another music DJ at the BBC allowed to behave in a predatory manner towards children without any meaningful repurcussions or safeguarding in place to protect victims.

EsmeSusanOgg · 13/07/2022 16:24

Statutory rape is not a charge in UK law. It's a US term, that accurately describes what has happened, but is not the correct legal term. Lawyers in all media companies will have been very clear on this to their editors.

Harridance · 13/07/2022 16:25

They used the term 'child prostitutes' on the news last night in reference to the Telford child abuse scandal

Original poster

footballmom43 · 13/07/2022 16:25

EsmeSusanOgg · 13/07/2022 16:21

They're being very careful in their legal terminology, likely after review by lawyers, to not prejudice any possible criminal charges. 14-year-olds cannot consent, but the formal legal charge in England and Wales is sexual activity with a minor, not rape. There is a different charge for sex with under 16s who are over 12, to those who are 12 and under. In the article it cites another case that would qualify as a rape charge as it was post 2003. Another complicating factor with historic charges is, the accused can only be charged and sentenced based on the law at the time of the crime. Unfortunately, sexual offensives legislation was much weaker in the 1990s than now (and tbh, it could be beefed up some more now). The reporting will be very carefully factual, especially as police may now act, which brings contempt of court rules into play. I think the article is good, and the product of solid investigative journalism. What is depressing is yet another music DJ at the BBC allowed to behave in a predatory manner towards children without any meaningful repurcussions or safeguarding in place to protect victims.

Thanks for this - that sheds some light on it a bit further, I was just SO appalled to see the headline!

OP posts:

EsmeSusanOgg · 13/07/2022 16:31

Agree, not a great headline. But this will have been thoroughly checked over by the legal team before anyone could hit publish. There's a case for asking our MPs to update the language used in sexual offensives legislation - but you'd still hit the same problem with historic crimes.

It's a truly terrible story. I really hope charges are brought so that he can face justice.