All rape is hate rape

Some additional thoughts relative to the issue I addressed in yesterday’s Hollywood: Go Polanski Yourself.

The most often heard argument in the defense of a rapist is that the victim of the rape “wanted it.” And the “proof” most often offered in support of that vile contention is the rape victim’s history of sexual promiscuity.

So let’s be real clear about this: Just because in the past you’ve shared your money doesn’t mean it’s now okay for anyone to rob you. That’s why in a rape case the victim’s sexual history is not admissible as evidence. The law recognizes that nothing you’ve ever done of your own free will excuses another person robbing you of that will. The fact that in the past a person ate fast foods doesn’t give anyone the right to force-feed that person fast foods.

And never ever forget: Rape is not about sex. Rape is about one thing, and one thing only: the sustained, conscious and purposeful execution of profound violence. It’s about the purely evil need of one person to control and humiliate a weaker person.

Ultimately a rapist doesn’t get off on sex. He gets off on making his victim beg, cry, and scream in pain. Rape is to sex what waterboarding is to going swimming.

Don’t ever equate rape and sex, even in jest.