The NZ Dominion Post reported that a 46 year old teacher was convicted of grooming and sexually abusing a 14 year old girl.
He did not have “sex” with her. They did not have a “sexual relationship”. He did not make “advances” and she did not “reciprocate”. He was a man in his 40s and she was a child. He groomed her and sexually abused her, she is not responsible for any part of this crime.
Children cannot consent to “sex” and sex without consent is rape.
Claiming she “reciprocated his advances” is the language of turgid romance not crime reporting. Victim blaming is always disgusting but it’s particularly obscene when journalists imply children who have been groomed for sexual abuse participated in the crime an adult man chose to commit against them.
Apart from just being a person and therefore having a moral obligation to not abuse and damage children, he was also a teacher with an additional duty of care to children, even children who were not his students. Reporting it as a “relationship” abrogates his responsibility for the premeditated crime he committed against a child.
The man was not charged with rape, which might prevent journalists reporting it as such, but what he did to her was repellent and criminal. Surely it’s not asking too much to expect journalists to report it accurately?
(as always, if you’re reading this on social media, links are in the OP at www.patreon.com/JaneGilmore )
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1800 RESPECT
Sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and support.24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ph: 1800 737 732
www.1800respect.org.au
Djirra – Aboriginal Family Violence Response & Support Service
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www.kidshelp.com.au
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www.mensline.org.au
Men’s Referral Service
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