Sex , Police and Assange

Impressed by the rigourous analysis and thorough exposition of Emah's exposition on Rape and Julian Assange.

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Trying to locate the feeling of unease she caused.


I was perturbed by the minutiae of sexual positions, motions, and actions which Emah listed, all to be subject to judicial review.

Thats where I part ways with her analysis. The great mass of people in this world, hence the great mass of women, would consider it absurd and dangerous to involve Police in their domestic affairs.

My family in the favela is exceptional; we have relations highly placed in the NBI and PNP (national police) We are, to a certain extent, under their protection. It would rarely occur to us, however, to call in the police for domestic violence. Even stranger violence would first be considered for a family/neighbourhood solution. We might involve the Barangay Captain, a position somewhat more local and perhaps feudal, to arbitrate in disputes.

Face it, Police are the armed militia of Power, the enforcers of Capital. To expect them to solve issues of consent is absurd. Except in the small areas of the world where Metropolitan Empire has temporarily granted a privileged few the illusion of effective court systems. Roman citizens may call on the Emperor for rulings. Rich people receiving unwanted advances from poor can expect protection, while the rich maintain.

Meanwhile feminism has liberated a minority of women into middle level management. Occupations now being outsourced. Its a momentary historical luxury for a select few bourgeois to expect fair treatment from courts. Effective treatment may last until protection becomes too expensive.

Culture can be corrupt or effective. In RP a tendency towards toleration of incest was attacked, post people-power-rev, by harsh laws. A few were executed, the tendency has to some considerable degree been reversed. The death penalty is no longer applied. I recall reading one judges opinion: He was summing up a case where a 14 year old boy was given a death sentence for the rape of his 12yr old sister. No sexual penetration was claimed. The proximity of the accused genitalia to his sisters was enough to ensure conviction, and a death penalty.
The Judge ruled that
1) no child would ever lie about such matters
2) No Mother would ever induce a daughter to lie. The contradiction between his rulings went uncriticised. -in RP there was a $1000 payment for victims. I doubt that the State has continued with this reward. Face it, States cant afford it. Nor can they afford justice, or even dubious enforcement, for more than a tiny few.

Lets work towards a culture of respect and non-violence. Lets not be under the illusion that the State will protect more than a sprinkling. Be aware that sex laws will be among the first to be applied when the State wishes to silence inconvenient critics.


Perhaps the most efficacious advice I have ever received was:
"Angry people are optimists; they expect things to get better" - this frequently caps my anger...