I noticed this little gem in the local newspaper this morning over breakfast. I almost choked on my Fruit Loops.
At first, I was pleased to see that a judge in Cape Breton had sentenced Raymond Shawn Leroy to 4 years in jail for rape, considering most rapists get off a lot lighter than that. Apparently, the rapist kidnapped his victim, beating and raping her for ‘several hours’ – leaving her with ‘swollen, blackened eyes, facial swelling, and other injuries.’ However, he was found not guilty of unlawful confinement… so I guess the victim could have left at any time, according to the court.
The prosecutor, Shane Russell, said the victim was “humiliated, beaten, raped, and threatened. She was subject to extreme violence and disrespect.” In the article, however, the victim was described as being recently released from a detox facility. I suppose this is significant somehow, although the press is forbidden from publishing the name of the victim ‘along with any information that could lead to her identification.’ Maybe I’m missing something, but what does the victim’s recent release from a drug treatment program have to do with her being raped? Oh right – so we feel less sorry for her.
Finally, the nastiest part of the article came. I’ll quote directly:
While noting the photographs spoke volumes about the attack, defense lawyer David Campbell said since she did not file a victim impact statement, it can be inferred she suffered no lasting psychological damage.
“It looks a lot worse than it actually was,” said Campbell, adding his client is remorseful for his actions.
Sure, being kidnapped, beaten, and raped isn’t as bad as all that, and is easily forgotten. I’ll buy that. No big deal, right girls?
These comments obviously minimize and dismiss the effects of rape on the psychological health and wellbeing of survivors of rape. Why is this so dangerous? It encourages rape, in so many words, by affirming that victims can easily get over their rape experiences. It also adds to the support for light sentencing of rapists, making women less and less safe in our communities. This blatant hostility toward women, and tacit condoning of rape, is not acceptable. This woman deserves to be taken seriously, and given a modicum of respect – not subjected to ridiculously flawed logic from some misogynistic asshole defense lawyer whose sour grapes over losing his case are staining his shirt.
Something tells me that this wasn’t the first time he attacked this woman verbally, but this time it is publicly, in print, and her voice is absent. Someone has to speak out. I’m writing a letter to the editor in protest of this treatment of a rape survivor by David Campbell. Join me: letterstoeditor@hfxnews.southam.ca
*quotes from “Man sentenced to four years for sexual assault” by Steve MacInnis, published in The Daily News on Wednesday, January 10, 2007.
Oh, that really frosts me! I have had dealings with basturd lawyers like that. I would like to see the rapist & the lawyer subject to the same treatment as the victim. & then come back & talk about it.
The lawyer we dealt with in our circumstances, is a fat cat around here now because of winning these kinds of cases. He has a fancey office & a big car. It cost the “perpetrator” in our case $30,000 dollars to keep his ass out of prison. & the funny thing is, my daughter who was the victim… said all she wanted was acknowledgment & an apology.(that was at time )
When ever I see this Lawyers name come up in a court case of this kind (involving rape) I literally want to kill him. Because I figure some poor woman is going to get screwed in more ways then one. have her self-esteem torn to shreds & left holding the bag.
It’s so sad.
BTW, I couldn’t get your link to work. 🙂
Just be sure to include positive comments about what does seem like progress and hope for the world about this case, like you did here! People need that to get moved to action/sympathy rather than defensiveness.
“It looks a lot worse than it actually was,”
This has to be one of the most *repugnant* statements I have heard in a long time. He is speaking as if he was a former rape victim or an authorised authority to make such a judgment. How dare he judge her like that and think that his statement actually has weight?
ThinkingGirl, thank you for highlighting this article because it raises important questions on for us as women. Why does he think that rape can be lessened to such an extent? The statement implies to me that it is a misdemeanour, not such a ‘serious crime’. I could throw things at the computer screen but that wouldn’t change how misogynistic men like him think.
Does he think that women who suffer from rape from wars such as the Rwandan genocide and Bosnia are ‘making a big deal out of it’ or any woman who has to go through that ordeal?
Rape can symbolise many things but in such a context and no doubt men are raped too but in this context, it is a competition for power, the aim? control over a woman. David Campbell needs to ask himself – if his grandmother or daughter had suffered an ordeal like this, would he be as nonchalant?
I know I have generalised here but I am just so furious. Call me out on it but attitudes like this are alarmingly shared by many men.
Hi 🙂
I couldn’t find a link to the subject article.
thanks for the comments, everyone.
L>T – so sorry to hear about your daughter’s and your family’s experience. Sometimes, lawyers are just assholes. And they get very rich being that way. It isn’t fair.
sorry about the link, should have been one that would open up gmail to send a direct email, but I’m obviously not that savvy.
Katie – yes, I agree – people do need an impetus. (I like that word) I think it’s important to find ways to respond to these sorts of tragic outrages that are productive rather than only defensive/reactive.
Aulelia – thanks for sharing my outrage at this guy. I was infuriated when I read this article, just so enraged that I’m sure if the asshole in question had been sitting across from me I would have rammed my spoon up his nose, and then told him that it really looked a lot worse than it was.
Little Green – hi there! sorry, I couldn’t provide a link because the newspaper’s site just updated to a super fancy elitist members only digital copy. In fact, to access it you have to buy a subscription to either the hardcopy of the paper or to the website. their free version carries only top stories, and of course, this was a tiny little column on page 9, the last page of local news, in the hardcopy.
Self-defense for girls needs to start becoming as normal as baking cookies or learning to ride a bicycle.
Which is sad because it shouldn’t have to be. I think girls should learn self-defense because they want to, not because they need to.