Sheri Oz: When a Judge Says She Was Raped

From the article:

Allegations of rape seem to bring out all the arm-chair “experts” who talk as if they know the truth about what “really” happened and are not meek about sharing their “expertise” with the rest of us. I, who have spent my entire professional life (about 30 years) working in the field of sexual trauma, have more questions than answers. Mostly, I feel bad that this case came to light before the alleged victim was ready to deal with it.

And:

Without details that could identify the judge and the police officer, the issue was reported in the news just a few days ago. Talk-backs are filled with myths about rape, rapists and victims. Some people said she cried rape because he rejected her, or that she was looking for attention (really? but nobody knows who she is). There are those who suggested that this case shows how the jails are filled with innocents somehow found guilty of sexual offences.

Others assume he is guilty and said that, as a judge, she should set a good example for women and lay charges. Still others claimed that her refusal to do so is an indictment of the legal system because if she, who is so familiar with the courts, refuses to press charges against the man she says raped her, then that must mean that something is terribly wrong with the system. Many suggested that the judge’s refusal to lay charges will discourage other women from seeking justice for sexual assault.

But there is one aspect of the judge’s situation that nobody is talking about. I discuss that in this post.