Roman Polanski arrest [warning: some discussion of sex crimes]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8283707.stm

Finally, the French government backs  down over its support of Polanski. But what is with all these Hollywood types and their petition? (although I can't say I'm surprised that Woody "married my step daughter" Allen is involved in that). Plus I read today that Whoopi Goldberg said it's not like it was "rape - rape" - whatever that is supposed to mean. Since when was drugging and having sex with a 13 yeard old against her consent not "rape-rape"? Seriously, I don't get where some of these people are getting their ideas. Is it because he's made some interesting movies? Or because his wife was murdered by Charles Manson's Family? or because his mother was a victim of the holocaust? Are these meant to excuse his crime? The guy has basically been on the run for over 30 years! It's about time he faced up to his punishment.

He is a rapist. Who cares that he's a movie director. I'm glad they finally got him. I hadn't heard about the Hollywood thing, but that is totally ridiculous.

He raped and sodomized a 13 year old child (he was 43 at the time). Jail is where he belongs.

I so agree! I was shocked that Woody Allen and some others "demanded" that the charges be dropped. Demanded? Especially Woody Allen. I also read another article where a older actress (forget who is was), said "so he made a little mistake, years ago". A little mistake....plus he was 43. 

I read a quote that summarized my feelings on this nicely:

"Yes, I loved the Pianist, but not enough to think that tho person ever assosiciated with it should get free pass from jail forever and ever and for the rest of their lives."

I so agree! I was shocked that Woody Allen and some others "demanded" that the charges be dropped. Demanded? Especially Woody Allen. I also read another article where a older actress (forget who is was), said "so he made a little mistake, years ago". A little mistake....plus he was 43. 

It's so disgusting!! I can't imagine how traumatizing and frightening this experience was for this young girl. It makes my skin crawl!!

http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/09/28/polanski_arrest/

While I completely agree that celebrities should not be above the law, and that what Roman Polanski did was vile and despicable, I also feel that this article from the Guardian makes a good point.  The victim in this case has apparently managed to overcome her trauma and is living a normal life with her husband and kids.  Is it really worth dragging her back into a nightmare from her childhood in order to punish this guy? 

Why would they have to start from square one and retry him? He plead guilty and was convicted. It was the sentencing he punked out on. That, and being a fugitive from justice now.

Would they have to revisit the original crime at all?

While I completely agree that celebrities should not be above the law, and that what Roman Polanski did was vile and despicable, I also feel that this article from the Guardian makes a good point.  The victim in this case has apparently managed to overcome her trauma and is living a normal life with her husband and kids.  Is it really worth dragging her back into a nightmare from her childhood in order to punish this guy? 

I understand what you're saying, but I read a good reasoning against this argument earlier today on a blog by a journalist named Jeff Fecke:

I understand the victim’s feelings on this. And I sympathize, I do. But for good or ill, the justice system doesn’t work on behalf of victims; it works on behalf of justice. And while the victim is no doubt hurt by Polanski’s drawing this out for decades, ultimately more women would be hurt by a justice system that allowed convicted rapists to avoid punishment simply because they were rich and could afford to flee jail. Ultimately, the victim’s feelings must be considered, but they can not be the determining factor in whether a prosecution goes forward."

I think he's got a good point.

There are two articles that sum up how I feel about it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/28/AR2009092802403.html

http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/09/28/polanski_arrest/

I'm shocked, sickened, saddened and angy that so many people are speaking out for him and are so nonchalant about it.  The fact is he raped a child.  I don't care how rough his life was, or how sad it was that he couldn't come to the US when he won an Oscar; he committed a crime and should face the consequences of his actions.  

I think he's got a good point.

I get what he's saying but I don't necessarily agree that the victim's feelings shouldn't be "the determining factor in whether the prosecution goes forward."  

Rape is arguably the most traumatic of all crimes, and my personal belief is that the justice system is too crime-centred and insufficiently victim-centred in rape cases.  If prosecuting a crime causes more harm to the victim than the crime itself, is it really a valuable endeavor?  

I understand your point historyenne, and to some extent I agree. But Polanski has already admitted guilt and only fled before sentencing so I'm not sure how much she would need to be involved in that process - possibly not at all.

If prosecuting a crime causes more harm to the victim than the crime itself, is it really a valuable endeavor? 

The issue that needs to be addressed here is making changes to the legal process so that it isn't so traumatic for the victims. Letting rapists off scott free is not the answer.

I so agree! I was shocked that Woody Allen and some others "demanded" that the charges be dropped. Demanded? Especially Woody Allen. I also read another article where a older actress (forget who is was), said "so he made a little mistake, years ago". A little mistake....plus he was 43. 

Pedophiles unite!    It's all so disgusting.

Rape is arguably the most traumatic of all crimes, and my personal belief is that the justice system is too crime-centred and insufficiently victim-centred in rape cases.  If prosecuting a crime causes more harm to the victim than the crime itself, is it really a valuable endeavor?  

I, too, feel that victims should have rights to their privacy, however, there is also an obligation  to prosecute sex offenders so that no one else is hurt by their immoral and illegal actions. If by dragging the victim out to testify again and disrupting her life they prevent one other girl from being raped, then it is worth it, in my opinion.

I, too, feel that victims should have rights to their privacy, however, there is also an obligation  to prosecute sex offenders so that no one else is hurt by their immoral and illegal actions. If by dragging the victim out to testify again and disrupting her life they prevent one other girl from being raped, then it is worth it, in my opinion.

I agree with that completely, however (just generally playing devil's advocate again, as I have no opinion of Roman Polanski and don't really care if he goes to jail or not) in this case the offender hasn't reoffended in more than 30 years.  This appears to have been an isolated incident which the victim has put behind her.  I can't see that any greater good is being served by pursuing it now.