Sir – You reported (September 4) the observations of retiring judge Mary Jane Mowat on the problem of securing convictions in rape cases where the complainant had been too drunk to remember what had happened.
The judge chose her words with great care, pointing out that a jury cannot convict on the basis of a statement that “I have no recollection of what happened but I know I would not have said yes.” The reaction of Natalie Brook, service manager at Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, was to be outraged by the judge’s "victim-blaming attitude."
This thoughtless and emotional response, it seems to me, offers less practical support to (actual or potential) victims of rape than the dispassionate and measured comments of the judge.
Philip Kenrick, Abingdon
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here