Afternoon:
15°c
Tory causes more outrage with 'date rape' comments
Nicholas Cecil and Justin Davenport23 May 2011
A senior Tory sparked outrage today by claiming some "date rape" victims are partly responsible for their ordeal.
Women MPs immediately condemned the comments by Roger Helmer, one of the most prominent Conservative MEPs, as "appalling".
Seeking to defend Ken Clarke who sparked a storm by denying that "rape is rape", Mr Helmer argued there were different types of sexual assaults including "classic stranger-rape" and "date rape".
Writing on his blog on the second case, he said: "Imagine that a woman voluntarily goes to her boyfriend's apartment, voluntarily goes into the bedroom, voluntarily undresses and gets into bed, perhaps anticipating sex, or naïvely expecting merely a cuddle. "But at the last minute she gets cold feet and says "Stop!". The young man, in the heat of the moment, is unable to restrain himself and carries on."
He emphasised that offences had been committed in both cases and the perpetrators deserve to be convicted and punished.
But then he added: "Let me make another point which will certainly get me vilified, but which I think is important to make.
"While in the first case, the blame is squarely on the perpetrator and does not attach to the victim, in the second case the victim surely shares a part of the responsibility, if only for establishing reasonable expectations in her boyfriend's mind."
His views drew a furious response from women MPs.
Tory MP Louise Bagshawe said: "This is an outrageous comment.
"Rape is always rape and No always means No.
"A woman has the right to change her mind and any suggestion to the contrary is simply appalling."
The Conservative Party distanced itself from Mr Helmer's stance.
A spokesman said: "This is clearly not the view of the Conservative party or the UK delegation in the European Parliament, and does not reflect the comments made by Ken Clarke."
But shadow communities secretary Caroline Flint claimed Mr Helmer's comments showed the Tories were "out of touch".
She added: "To suggest that the victims of date rape can 'share responsibility' for the crime is outrageous. Roger Helmer should apologise immediately."
The MEP of 12 years, who represents the East Midlands, had sought to defend Mr Clarke arguing that the Justice Secretary's comments last week were "badly phrased, but basically right".
Mr Helmer told The Standard: "I'm not seeking in any sense to justify rape.
"All I'm saying is if you put yourself in a compromising position you have some responsibility for the consequences."
Mr Helmer's political adviser Joseph Bono insisted that the MEP had not sought to blame rape victims for their plight.
He said: "Mr Helmer's intention was to make clear that all instances of rape are a violent crime which should be punishable to the fullest extent of the law.
"In no way did he want to blame the victim."
Reader views (6)
For anyone to enter another person's body against their wishes is a serious assault, whatever the circumstances.
- HonorV, London UK, 24/05/2011 13:46
Report abuse
@ Warren
What a stupid comment,you must be related to Dhan Raj.
- Tojo, Hythe Kent, 24/05/2011 13:40
Report abuse
First Law of PC.
"No woman is ever responsible for anything bad that happens to her"
Got it?
- Anglo, The Heart of England, 24/05/2011 09:40
Report abuse
He doesn't look like he's much personal experience of any kind
- Steve, London, England, 23/05/2011 18:17
Report abuse
Maybe he is talking from personal experience?
- Joe Blow, Wales, 23/05/2011 16:48
Report abuse
Roger Helmer and Ken Clarke are living proof that the Tories condone and approve of rape.
- Warren, Edmonton, 23/05/2011 15:15
Report abuse
