Local news story

[Throughgrittedteeth]

Hi all, I'm new to the feminism boards but wanted to discuss this local news article. Specifically the part listing what the victim had drank? It seems so common for journalists reporting stories of sexual assault, when the victim has been drinking, to list what they had drank and been doing before the assault took place. It's as if they're building up a justified argument for the offender.
I know this topic is being covered everywhere at the moment, but it disgusts and angers me every time I see this type of backhanded criticism. Would love to know your thoughts.

I read one article on a rape case where the victim "admitted" to drinking. Was she on a charge for being drunk in public? Nope, she was giving evidence about her assault.
It's seriously fucking depressing.

Argh "admitted" so accusative. with the one I posted, I'm not sure why but it annoys me more that its (my) local news. I know the victim isn't named but for people who know her and the large readership it completely undermines and taints any justice achieved. The attitude of some sensationalist journalists is bloody awful.

And actually Geek what's worse about yours is that she felt the need to admit.

Yep, it's not always just what the media reports about violence against women as how they do it and the language chosen. I've heard admitted, confessed and did not deny used in similar contexts - all of which imply that they did something wrong. Sucks.

Kritiq makes a good point there is a good chance she was asked if she had been drinking during the course of the case and she said yes (telling the truth) yet the media wrote along the lines 'X admitted she had drank several drinks'.
It makes my teeth itch.

Agree that the way the media reports these feeds rape myths and generally is a disaster.

It was raised at the whotsit enquiry thingy wasn't it, but levenson said it was out of the remit of the enqury.Is it levenson? You know the one I mean, the one at the moment.

The bloke in that article sounds dangerous though.

A serial offender, I mean.

The Leveson inquiry? Yeah I thought his answer was pathetic and full of excuses. If all these celebs feel violated with the way their stories are reported then are victims of sexual assault not violated again and again through media coverage and the court case?

I wonder if we will also see a story from the same reporter telling us that "Mr and Mrs Smith came home from the restaurant and found that their house had been broken into. Victims admitted that they had been drinking".

I would guess no.