Letter: Rape victims do not need more torment

Sunday 25 August 1996 23:02 BST

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Sir: In my experience as a police doctor, acts of rape appear to be about domination, power and humiliation as much as sexual gratification, and it is the psychological damage which is usually the worst and longest lasting.

In allowing a victim to be cross-examined by her suspected assailant, the entire court was witness to a continuation of the very crime it was supposed to be hearing.

Dr N J GILBERT

Forensic medical examiner

Gloucester

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Letter: Rape victims do not need more torment

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