The full article, by Connie K. Borkenhagen, appeared in the American Bar Association Journal in April, 1975.

In the following situation, a holdup victim is asked questions by a lawyer.

Laywer: “Mr. Smith, you were held up at gunpoint on the corner of First and Main?”
Mr. Smith: “Yes”
Laywer: “Did you struggle with the robber?”
Mr. Smith: “No.”
Laywer: “Why not?”
Mr. Smith: “He was armed.”
Laywer: “Then you made a conscious decision to comply with his demands rather than resist?”
Mr. Smith: “Yes.”
Laywer: “Did you scream? Cry out?”
Mr. Smith: “No, I was afraid.”
Laywer: “I see. Have you ever been held up before?”
Mr. Smith: “No.”
Laywer: “Have you ever GIVEN money away?”
Mr. Smith: “Yes, of course.”
Laywer: “And you did so willingly?”
Mr. Smith: “What are you getting at?”
Laywer: “Well, let’s put it like this, Mr. Smith. You’ve given money away in the past. In fact, you have quite a reputation for philanthropy. How can we be sure that you weren’t CONTRIVING to have your money taken from you by force?”
Mr. Smith: “Listen, if I wanted –“
Laywer: “Never mind. What time did this holdup take place, Mr. Smith?”
Mr. Smith: “About 11:00 P.M..”
Laywer: “You were out on the street at 11:00 P.M.? Doing what?”
Mr. Smith: “Just walking.”
Laywer: “Just walking? You know that it’s dangerous being out on the street that late at night. Weren’t you aware that you could have been held up?”
Mr. Smith: “I hadn’t thought about it.”
Laywer: “What were you wearing at the time, Mr. Smith?”
Mr. Smith: “Let’s see … a suit. Yes, a suit.”
Laywer: “An EXPENSIVE suit?”
Mr. Smith: “Well – yes. I’m a successful lawyer, you know.”
Laywer: “In other words, Mr. Smith, you were walking around the streets late at night in a suit that practically advertised the fact that you might be good target for some easy money, isn’t that so? I mean, if we didn’t know better, Mr. Smith, we might even think that you were ASKING for this to happen, mightn’t we?”

Full article can be downloaded here.

The continued blame of an 11-year old girl for her own rape, not to mention the New York Time’s unacceptable apology (I’m sorry, Mr. Brisbane, but reporting what the child, THE CHILD, was wearing contributes to rape culture) is sickening.  A mother of one of the accused recently said that the girl had lied and said she was 17.  She clearly needs to be reminded that rape, regardless of age, is illegal.  We, as a country and a culture, have an opportunity to examine rape culture and make a change for future generations of women and men.  (And of course there’s the USC frat boy missive/viral email about date rape and racism!)  I can’t say it enough, but this is a child.  Can you imagine what would be being said if she were a teenager or a young woman?

-1 in 5 Women use Planned Parenthood

-It is estimated that if funding to Planned Parenthood is cut, it will lead to 400,000 More Abortions each year because women will lose access to affordable contraception.

-Planned Parenthood saves lives by providing low cost breast exams and cervical exams. WOMEN WILL DIE IF FUNDING IS CUT.

-Title X also seeks to cut funding for Women Infant Children (WIC) which serves 9.6 million low-income women, young mothers, and infants, each year by providing nutritional support.

The current Republican Congress does not care about women or children.  This is an assault on women and human rights, and WE WILL NOT TAKE IT!!!

DEMOCRACY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT!

Enter your zip code and SEND A LETTER TO YOUR SENATOR!  It takes less than a minute to do the right thing.

Sign the petition: I Stand With Planned Parenthood.

(source: NYTimes)