August 29 2012 |
A Hero or a nerd ? or both things? or a Nerd that got too popular and finally women were attracted to him and he could not handle the testosterone ?
Last week, amid the ongoing debate of women’s rights, there was an international media frenzy on the topic of rape – how it’s defined, prosecuted and who can commit it. As I’m sure the headlines have already made you aware, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange faces an Interpol order for his extradition to Sweden for the crimes of sexual assault and one of illegal coercion which were reported in 2010 and only have recently resulted in charges. At that time, he was speaking at a seminar organized by the Brotherhood Movement, and seeking work and residence permits in Stockholm (possibly due to Sweden’s strong laws for media protection and journalistic shield). It was only four days later that allegations of rape began, but charges dropped and Assange left for England. He is currently in London’s Ecuadorian embassy after being granted asylum, claiming that, if returned to Sweden, he would then be extradited to the U.S. where severe charges, or even death, would await him.
This case infuriates me: as a Swedish woman, a feminist, and someone who works to promote sex as passionate and beautiful act within the adult industry. Born and raised in Sweden, I can attest to my country’s excellent laws protecting women’s health and rights, which gives us the confidence to report such trauma and also that the system will pursue justice in our case. In a 2009 study by the European Commision, the number of rapes reported in Sweden was 46 per 100,000 citizens. It’s definition of rape is broad and it was one of the first countries in Europe to recognize and criminalize spousal rape in 1965. The incident of rape in any country is a horrible thing, but I am particularly proud to come from a culture that encourages its women to speak out about their experiences in an effort to eliminate the act.
Even the organization Women Against Rape backs Assange, stating “When Julian Assange was first arrested, we were struck by the unusual zeal with which he was being pursued for rape allegations … whether or not Assange is guilty of sexual violence, we do not believe that is why he is being pursued. Once again women’s fury and frustration at the prevalence of rape and other violence is being used by politicians to advance their own purposes.” While I understand that their stance is one denouncing a judicial system which ordinarily minimizes or badly defines the crime of rape, I can’t help but be astonished. Despite being advocates of sexual assault survivors, it feels as though they, as with all the Assange supporters through their actions, are saying that these rapes are not crimes in their own right, but rather can be used falsely and as a scapegoat. This effectively minimizes everything Sweden is doing to encourage women to speak out, particularly in this case where the alleged rapist is a well-known figure by indicating that even rape support groups won’t believe that you don’t have ulterior motives.
Rape is a gross power play and the message to victims needs to be that, though they were violated, they can regain control through reporting their rape. I understand that many have no faith in the legal and political system, and that Assange responsible for a lot of disillusionment in this regard. However, what I cannot reconcile the idea that “we want rapists caught, charged and convicted…But does anyone really believe that extraditing Julian Assange will strengthen women against rape?” No buts. I want him to answer the charges, and it’s the men I want to strengthen against rape: the politicians, popular figures, and citizens alike. It doesn’t seem very far fetched to me that even a global champion of human rights and free information can be chauvinistic in their private lives.
In fact, the public and private spheres rarely tend to be related – particularly when sex is involved – and it is the powerful figures who tend to think they are persecuted for who they are, rather than fair legal issues, while simultaneously being untouchable.
Based on personal experiences with the witch hunts that can take place in Sweden in the “name of feminism” I believe that one first has to determine whether this supposed rape actually took place. I am Swedish, born and raised, a feminist, and a woman, but throughout the years I have witnessed some of the downfalls that can arise when women raised in our culture become angry because of rejection, lack of attention or just being pure gossips. The Swedish judicial system has a tendency to always believe the woman’s side and there are few lawyers in Sweden apt handling such cases simply due to inexperience with them. I am not saying that is the case here, but if the Swedish government was just interested in pursuing justice then why do they refuse to sign official documents that they will not send Assange to a third country?
I agree that Assange shouldn’t get a free pass out of the rape charges just because of who he is. However, all kinds of groups have been using ideas like ‘social security’ or ‘public interest’ to conceal their true agendas since the French Revolution. It also goes without saying that having Assange answering the charges requires an actual possibility of him doing so without fear of being sent to the US. I’m brazilian and don’t know much about Sweden, though, so I don’t know how he’s going to be treated if he shows up there. All sides must be taken into consideration: both the rape charges, that he shouldn’t be running away from, and the WikiLeaks thing, which made many people angry. But answers about both issues combined are hardly simple.
Apologies for any writing mistake.
The truth might be in between both sides, probably. It’s just that so many times men have defended from such allegations saying that women have hidden interests by denouncing sexual assaults: she is trying to ruin my reputation, she is trying to destroy my marriage, she wants to finish my career… she just wants revenge because I don’t want a serious relationship…. In Assange’s case is like “do not take me to Sweden, those women are CIA agents and liars, I’m the good guy, USA is after me, I’m going to die!!!!” ANd I just don’t get it, relax Julian, and face what you did or what you didn’t do to those women. Go there and speak! If it’s a minor thing, Swedes aren’t going to hang you, I promise!
Sounds like someone’s trying to use a rape allegation to rape Assange.
I think he should be prosecuted, but Swedish Government should firmly say that he is not going to be send to USA.
I think he should be prosecuted, but Swedish Government should firmly say that he is not going to be send to the USA.