Justice

[poliphilo]

All I ask is consistency. Either the seduction of a child is the most disgusting crime on the book or it's a forgiveable peccadillo; I can live with either. What I find unacceptable is a state of affairs where it's the most disgusting crime on the book when the offender is Creepy Joe Schmo and a forgiveable peccadillo when he's an Oscar-winning film director. Justice should be impartial; that's why its personification is shown wearing a blindfold.  I don't mind excuses being made for Polanski's behaviour- for example that he was traumatised by his childhood experiences- just so long that kind of indulgence is extended to every paedophile. A person's wealth, status, talent, and popularity should have no bearing on their standing in law. 

Comments

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

I dont know how they defined it later, but when I was in my teens, statutory rape was defined as having consentual sex with any minor (under 18 years of age)-- the assumption being that "children" are not intelligent enough to make such a decision. Of course the perpetrator had to be of age, over 21 years of age, and the penalty on the books was for 20 years in prison. Where there was no consent it was just plain rape, and where violence was employed it was "aggravated rape".
Polanski? No excuse, sir! - as they say in the military.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I believe Polanski has said there was a consensual element- but he would, wouldn't he?