Adding my two cents on the Assange case

Okay, I know everybody is talking about it but that doesn't stop me from putting in my two-cents about the Julian Assange-rape-brouhaha.

As far as I can make out the details in the conflicting stories, Assange is accused of having unprotected sex with a woman even though she insisted on him wearing a condom. He is also accused of having had unprotected  sexual intercourse with a woman while she was asleep. In both cases the women had initially consented to sexual relations with Assange. In the definition of rape in Swedish law there is the possibility of a "withdrawal of consent". Now in my book when you consent to sex, clearly stating that you want the guy to wear a condom, and the guy does not and proceeds to have sex with you anyways, then you have not consented to that particular form of sex. Likewise, I do not think that you are consenting while you are asleep. 

Now, we don't know what exactly happened because as with most rape cases it's a case of he said/she said. BUT in view of the trauma and scorn a victim of sexual assault potentially faces, I have to take the allegations seriously. We all do. So it is right to question Assange on his behavior when someone raises an allegation such as this. And if there is a possibility that he has perpetrated any of the offences he should be tried before a court. 

If it turns out that the accusations were fabricated in order to neutralize the guy and his organization it would really damage my view on the Swedish Government, Interpol and whoever else is involved. That would be a slap into the face of every victim of sexual assault ever. With something that is as hard to prove as rape is and with a public that makes the testimony of rape victims an ordeal that can be as bad as the actual assault, in an environment in which many cases of sexual assaults are not reported because of fear of social repercussions, you just don't go and make up accusations like that out of political considerations. That would mean that the plight of women who have actually suffered such an assault mean nothing to their political representatives. Because knowingly weakening the standing of those of your citizens that are already vulnerable for political gain is despicable I hope that the accusations are not made up.

For me this has nothing to do with what Wikileaks stands for but with the creditability of our democracies. If there are indications that Julian Assange has committed sexual assault then he needs to be tried fairly. And if he is convicted in a fair and independent trial than he needs to be punished. It should be as simple as that. 

Of course the fact that Interpol was all over the case and put so much effort into apprehending an alleged rapist is new. One would hope that is their new modus operandi. But I fear it is not. (Alleged) Rapists are not usually high on their agenda, only if they happen to be a persona non grata with the high and mighty.

So, in a tip of the hat to the Swedish Rape Laws which I think are awesome (and apparently Sweden has a high rate of reported rapes not because so many more rapes happen there but women feel so much more secure to report on them) I'll give you Alexander Skarsgard. Twice. 

Happy December 16th.