Seriously angered me. SMP has inferred Rape victim must have been a prostitute (with subtle hint that it would therefore be her own fault)

[yogididabooboo]

I just saw this and i am apoplectic with rage.
this man needs sacking.

Story here

I just read this on the newpaper website. Unbelievable, am off to email the primeminister, among others.
Anyone remember that Italian politician who claimed a woman who wore jeans couldn't be raped?

I've had my reply, and no reference to misquote. Instead they are saying that his full apology wasn't quoted by the paper. So they sent it to me.

"Rape, in every case, is an abhorrent violation and must always be prosecuted with the full vigour of the law. Rape for any woman is a horrific and horrible crime. I accept that I asked the journalist about the circumstances of the case and that we had a general discussion about rape cases but I did not intend to imply that the circumstances of any victim in any assault in any way lessens the horror or severity of the crime. I would have deep regret if that was portrayed as the case and apologise unreservedly to her, her family and friends for any such misconception. My time in politics has been spent speaking up for all victims of crime and against those who commit such vicious crimes."

So why on earth did it come out of his mouth in first place?

I had the same reply Aliceworld. I've sent a short, curt mail back something along the lines of not understanding the point of their mail. Are they suggesting that this additional couple of sentences, this add-on disclaimer, somehow cancels out all the rape myths Bill Aitkens spouted

And the disgusting idea that prostitutes are fair game.

I had the same thing and was going to reply asking whether they could also provide the full transcript of the original interview, to demonstrate how he was quoted out of context.

That is awful.

Whether or not it was taken out of context, the remarks are disgusting.

The position of power that Bill Aitken is in makes him really, really dangerous.

The man apparently does not believe that rape victims exist. In his world, women who report that they have been raped are either 'hookers' or cheating on their boyfriends, i.e. selling sex or giving it away. He then jumps to another amazing level of illogic, where, in his mind, these women can't actually be trusted at their word or indeed be worthy of consideration as victims of crime.

Aitken just doesn't get it that rape is about power and control more than it is about sex.

I wonder what his views are on rape victims who are male, or children, or elderly, or caught up in wars and other conflicts, or prisoners, or mentally ill? What are these rapes, then - just a bit of fun?

What a nasty, stupid, venal man.

yes do that if you get the chance, Elephants

marking my place in case of further developments

it's actually WORSE when you read the full transcript

he comes across as an odious imbecile. utterly incredible that he holds any position of authority.

Jesus

Thanks for transcript. Unable to tell the difference between "an asian and middle eastern too" I see. Glad he doesn't limit the extent of his prejudice. Glad others are replying too.

OP - you mean 'imply'.

Did anyone join the facebook group?

bloody hell that transcript is scary. this is a man in a position of power over law making.

words fail me.

I've joined Elephants - not sure what else to do from outside Scotland? I could write to my parent's MSP I suppose.

I'm so glad I asked Alec Salmond about it in the webchat now though!!

sorry, Alex Salmond

Wonder how the ignorant twat knows the red light area so well, and what happens down those lane? A user by any chance?

The transcript is worse than the article.

I will email too.

It is genuinely sad that he just doesn't get it. His 'apology' is still ignorant, ignoring the fact he is perpetuating rape myths and missing the point entirely. Stupid cock.

does anyone have a standard letter that I can nab to send to the MSPs? I reckon I could get at least 10 of my friends to email their MSPs, and circulate this wider, etc etc. And I'm totally snowed under at work just now, so won't have time to write a decent letter before next week.

thanks if you do :)

There?s always a lot more to these city-centre rapes than meets the eye.?

Just replied to the fob-off email.

Bill Aiken is a list MSP who is only there at all as a result of proportional representation. He is so dense and out of touch that it beggars belief.

"quoted out of context" my arse

what a despicable little man

Oh my god. That is disgusting.

Would the lord provosts office be able to do anything about him? Who puts this idiots in charge!?

What a sickening man.

How can he possibly justify drawing the conclusion that the victim is a prostitute? (Not that the occupation of the victim changes the crime - clearly it doesn't.) It's not an exclusively 'red light' district - it's the city centre! People go there to eat, drink, dance, socialise...

In a London equivalent wouldn't this be a bit like saying "Well, what was she doing near Kings Cross?" or "Why was she in Soho?"

And as for his comment (not based on any research) that there are "a lot of drunken carry-ons that result in rape allegations which are subsequently dropped...I think there might be fear, if they are worried that somebody talks...and the word gets back to the boyfriend.? Well I'm speechless.

This man is clearly too biased and prejudiced to be trusted to be involved in shaping rape law. What hope for improving conviction rates if he stays...