Language Matters: We need to be clear when discussing child rape.

by Louise Pennington Two weeks ago, Victoria Coren called for more ‘nuance’ when discussing Roman Polanski’s guilty plea for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Polanski had originally been charged with six separate counts, including rape, after grooming, drugging and anally, orally and vaginally raping 13 year old Samantha Geimer.[1] Coren’s plea for nuance was…

The myth of “the sin of simplification” in child rape: Why Victoria Coren is wrong about Roman Polanski.

by Louise Pennington It is safe to say that Victoria Coren’s article in the Observer[1] on Roman Polanski[2] was not received well online. Twitter erupted with denouncements and some basic confusion as to exact point of the piece. Ending Victimisation and Blame [Everyday Victim Blaming][3] campaign received seven separate submissions from women concerned about the…