This whole Polanski story is really getting my goat. I’m not sure exactly why the world is up in arms in defence of this man? He raped a young girl. He then fled the country to avoid arrest. And now, when he finally is arrested everyone is upset for him???

The bottom line here is that everyone is ready to excuse a rapist because he is a popular cultural icon. This has happened before in South Africa and elsewhere in the world. It plays into the myth we have in our head that our next door neighbour, favourite sports star or political leader could never rape. This is something we need to get over right this second. All men can rape.

Earlier this year studies revealed that one in four men have raped a woman. This may have been one woman or a million women. There is no way to tell who these men are just by looking at them which is why we cannot just go around letting men who are accused of rape off the hook. There must be a trial to ensure that justice has the opportunity to play out.

I understand that in this particular case it is the will of the rape survivor not to continue with charges. Understood. And some rape survivors do not want to press charges. Understood. This may be their way of healing and moving forward.

But the bottom line is that everyone needs to stop feeling sorry for this child molester because he is famous and makes nice movies about the Holocaust. Enough now.

Author

  • Jennifer is a feminist, activist and advocate for women's rights. She has a Masters in Politics from Rhodes University, and a Masters in Creative Writing from UCT. In 2010 she started a women's writing project called 'My First Time'. It focuses on women's stories of significant first time experiences. Buy the book on the site http://myfirsttimesa.com or via Modjaji Books. Jen's first novel, The Peculiars, came out in February 2016 and is published by Penguin. Get it in good book stores, and on Takealot.com

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Jen Thorpe

Jennifer is a feminist, activist and advocate for women's rights. She has a Masters in Politics from Rhodes University, and a Masters in Creative Writing from UCT. In 2010 she started a women's writing...

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