Germaine Greer has sparked outrage after defending her claim that rapists should have their jail sentences reduced.
The outspoken feminist argued there could be more rape convictions if courts were to lower the ‘burden of proof’ in cases.
She also said penalties for rape would have to be reduced if claimants did not have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that rape defendants are guilty.
The controversial writer clashed with Australian journalist Hamish Macdonald on The Project, in which the pair discussed her recent book On Rape where she suggested rape sentences should be lowered.
She told the programme: ‘It is really shocking to reveal just how many there are miscarriages, either the wrong people or the DNA ignored and the fresh convictions are being plead with the same DNA that men have already served 15 years in prison. It’s too long.
‘Lots of women are saying we should reduce the burden of proof. We should ignore whether or not the perpetrator believed that the victim was consenting and that means we abrogate his civil rights.
‘Well, if you do, then I’m saying you have to reduce the sentence. ‘If you lower the burden of proof you will probably have to lower the tariff and there will be an outcry.’
She was also asked about her comments on non-consensual sex.
She said: ‘The current view of rape is that non-consensual sex is rape.
‘Non-consensual sex, where people give in for a quiet life, once you make that bargain with yourself, “I’m going to have sex Idont really want for a quiet life,” all of this is constrained. None of that is free consent.’
When quizzed on whether she thinks non-consensual sex is violent, she said: ‘Violent is a funny word. You can have sex with a woman without waking her up.’
Her comments sparked outrage online, with one user writing: ‘So many “them, those, her, him” statements from her.
How many rape victims or rapists does she have D&M’s with? Who are all these people that she is speaking on their behalf??’
Another said: ‘Setting women back thousands of years.’
While another added: ‘So hurtful to say that women haven’t been hurt by marital rape on the evidence that they didn’t report it to police. Thanks Germaine.’
(Source: Metro)
The outspoken feminist argued there could be more rape convictions if courts were to lower the ‘burden of proof’ in cases.
She also said penalties for rape would have to be reduced if claimants did not have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that rape defendants are guilty.
The controversial writer clashed with Australian journalist Hamish Macdonald on The Project, in which the pair discussed her recent book On Rape where she suggested rape sentences should be lowered.
She told the programme: ‘It is really shocking to reveal just how many there are miscarriages, either the wrong people or the DNA ignored and the fresh convictions are being plead with the same DNA that men have already served 15 years in prison. It’s too long.
‘Lots of women are saying we should reduce the burden of proof. We should ignore whether or not the perpetrator believed that the victim was consenting and that means we abrogate his civil rights.
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| Greer defended her comments she made in the book On Rape (Picture: Ten/The Project) |
She was also asked about her comments on non-consensual sex.
She said: ‘The current view of rape is that non-consensual sex is rape.
‘Non-consensual sex, where people give in for a quiet life, once you make that bargain with yourself, “I’m going to have sex Idont really want for a quiet life,” all of this is constrained. None of that is free consent.’
When quizzed on whether she thinks non-consensual sex is violent, she said: ‘Violent is a funny word. You can have sex with a woman without waking her up.’
Her comments sparked outrage online, with one user writing: ‘So many “them, those, her, him” statements from her.
How many rape victims or rapists does she have D&M’s with? Who are all these people that she is speaking on their behalf??’
Another said: ‘Setting women back thousands of years.’
While another added: ‘So hurtful to say that women haven’t been hurt by marital rape on the evidence that they didn’t report it to police. Thanks Germaine.’
(Source: Metro)
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