The Courier Mail reported that a 35 year old man has been charged with attempted rape, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, deprivation of liberty and common assault. He was denied bail.
Attempted rape and sexual assault are not “sex”. They are not interchangeable words or concepts. Sex is a mutual choice. Attempted rape and sexual assault are crimes. Surely, if we’ve learned anything in the last few months, it’s that understanding consent is crucial and part of that is absolute clarity on the difference between sex and violence.
Also person he is accused of attacking is a person, not a toilet. He is not accused of attacking a toilet, he has been charged with serious and violent crimes against a woman. Erasing her from the headline and replacing her with a toilet is abhorrent and degrading.
Doing this while giving him the sympathetic label of “dad” is even more revolting. That he has children is not relevant to his alleged crime and it doesn’t deserve a place in this headline.
The man has not yet been tried and is entitled to the presumption of innocence. Only the court can determine whether he is guilty or not guilty. Please remember that if you’re commenting on this post. Any statements that assumes he is guilty or innocent of the crimes with which he was charged risks causing a mistrial.
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