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I'm pretty sure it depends on the level of the sexual assault. E.g. groping - if we're talking "groped someone randomly, with their clothes on" and nothing mor

by edanm 9y ago

I'm pretty sure it depends on the level of the sexual assault. E.g. groping - if we're talking "groped someone randomly, with their clothes on" and nothing more, then even if this gets reported, what could happen? This probably won't result in too much of a punishment, and is pretty hard to prove. And, unfortunately, as you can probably see by now, it happens to pretty much all women and is extremely common. It doesn't make it right or mean that we shouldn't stop it, but I kind of understand why people who are used to it happening don't do much with it. I think that's why we need to change the norms, both of how people who see this happening deal with it, and of how OK it is. If you see someone groping someone without their consent, say something! It's probably not going to get reported to the police, but if we as a society don't accept it, then it will get better. Of course, once you get to things like rape, then that's a much more serious offense that can definitely have the police involved.

dragonwriter 9y ago
> E.g. groping - if we're talking "groped someone randomly, with their clothes on" and nothing more, then even if this gets reported, what could happen? It's both a tort and a crime, usually, so there is a lot that could happen; which is not to say that it is likely that the consequences available in principle would be applied.
- edanm 9y ago
  I think a lot could also theoretically happen when you punch someone, as that's assault. And yet I assume that depending on context, usually not much happens. E.g. I assume if someone is punched in a bar fight, the chance of being brought up on charges (and the punishment if you are) are rather small. As opposed to if I go up to someone in an airport and punch them. Which is to say that context matters and is dictated by our customs, which is why we need to change what we think of us acceptable so that groping is unacceptable everywhere.
- mercer 9y ago
  If Scoble were to walk into a police station and explain in detail what he did and who he did it to, would there be ramifications?
  - dragonwriter 9y ago
    That depends on the police to whom he explained it, the prosecutors with jurisdiction, and the judge it got before if prosecuted. There's enough history of all three groups granting men, especially middle or upper class white men, passes for sexual assault and even outright rape that it's hard to say “yes” with any confidence, even assuming that what he did matches the worst accusations made against him.
    - mercer 9y ago
      Interesting. Do you by any chance know of a situation like this where the perp actually did this? I'm thinking that especially if the consequences are likely to be 'mild', there's really no reason to expect anything less from Scoble than admitting his acts to the police and see what happens. I mean, it might be the right thing to do anyways, but if the risks are relatively low, even 'fear' isn't really much of an excuse. Basically, is there any good reason for 'the public' not to set a precedent by demanding he report himself to the police?
  - tptacek 9y ago
    No.

by edanm 9y ago

dragonwriter 9y ago

> E.g. groping - if we're talking "groped someone randomly, with their clothes on" and nothing more, then even if this gets reported, what could happen? It's both a tort and a crime, usually, so there is a lot that could happen; which is not to say that it is likely that the consequences available in principle would be applied.

edanm 9y ago
I think a lot could also theoretically happen when you punch someone, as that's assault. And yet I assume that depending on context, usually not much happens. E.g. I assume if someone is punched in a bar fight, the chance of being brought up on charges (and the punishment if you are) are rather small. As opposed to if I go up to someone in an airport and punch them. Which is to say that context matters and is dictated by our customs, which is why we need to change what we think of us acceptable so that groping is unacceptable everywhere.
mercer 9y ago
If Scoble were to walk into a police station and explain in detail what he did and who he did it to, would there be ramifications?
- dragonwriter 9y ago
  That depends on the police to whom he explained it, the prosecutors with jurisdiction, and the judge it got before if prosecuted. There's enough history of all three groups granting men, especially middle or upper class white men, passes for sexual assault and even outright rape that it's hard to say “yes” with any confidence, even assuming that what he did matches the worst accusations made against him.
  - mercer 9y ago
    Interesting. Do you by any chance know of a situation like this where the perp actually did this? I'm thinking that especially if the consequences are likely to be 'mild', there's really no reason to expect anything less from Scoble than admitting his acts to the police and see what happens. I mean, it might be the right thing to do anyways, but if the risks are relatively low, even 'fear' isn't really much of an excuse. Basically, is there any good reason for 'the public' not to set a precedent by demanding he report himself to the police?
- tptacek 9y ago
  No.