Letter: Too severe a sentence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The sentence passed on Angus Diggle is appallingly severe ('Solicitor gets three years for attempted rape after dance', 1 October). His career now lies in ruins and, at the age of 37, he is unlikely to find another. He will be shunned socially. His whole life is shattered.
He 'misread the signs', but the business of deciding whether to have sex with someone - or even to kiss them - is conducted through body language. Undressing in front of someone is often meant as a come-on - sometimes even more so when you keep your back turned and it seems coy. In addition, most women still expect men to make the 'first move'. We are so unopen about sex, it's not surprising people often make mistakes.
When I was a student it was not uncommon for a girl to crawl into bed with a man after a party if she fancied him. If he didn't want sex, he'd throw her out of bed. But if that were attempted rape, thousands of women should now be in jail.
'Rape' and 'attempted rape' have now become such extended terms that the brutal crime of genuine rape is in danger of becoming indistinguishable from every other type of unwanted sex. That does women as well as men a grave disservice.
Yours sincerely,
SUSANNAH CREESE
London, SW4
1 October
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments