"As a victim of a sexual assault myself at age 13 years old.."

Jennifer Tracey | 16:14 UK time, Tuesday, 29 September 2009

"..it astonishes me to hear the apologists for Roman Polanski...Polanski may have our sympathy but he also committed an abusive act and that has to be accounted for, otherwise the law to protect children from sexual predators means nothing."

Writes a listener to the PM programme.

She wrote after hearing our report last night about the arrest of Director Roman Polanski. Listen again to the item:

What do you think? You can email us at ipm [at] bbc.co.uk or leave a comment below.

Bookmark with:
del.icio.us |
Digg |
Newsvine |
NowPublic |
Reddit
- What's this?

Comments

1. At 06:26am on 30 Sep 2009, wavegirl wrote:
I was sexually assaulted at the age of 14, in an scenario similar to Polanski's assault, minus the hot tub.

The incident scarred me, of course. Do I think Polanski should be extradited to stand trial? No.

I think assault victims may have a tendency to become enraged at all perpetrators of sexual assault, and this is understandable. I understand the depth of the rage, often unexpressed for years, being a victim elicits.

But what happened to me happened 30 years ago as well. And like Samantha Geimer I moved on. I think Polanski suffered in so many other ways that a little empathy goes a long way towards forgiveness.

Complain about this comment
2. At 07:37am on 30 Sep 2009, SheffTim wrote:
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
3. At 12:49pm on 30 Sep 2009, fredforest wrote:
Sorry I couldn't disagree more. Polanski actually pleaded guilty to a lesser charge to avoid charges of rape and other sexual assaults. He then fled the country to avoid a prison term.

No matter that he had a personal tragedy, no matter that he is famous, in eyes of the law he is no different to any other sex offender.

Complain about this comment
4. At 1:00pm on 30 Sep 2009, alexiswolf4 wrote:
Be allowed to walk free? again, What message would this send?
Would it be ok if the victim was murdered also?
Would the same generosity be extended to poor unknowns? I don't think so.
One law for all can be the only way for the law to be respected.

Complain about this comment
5. At 2:10pm on 30 Sep 2009, Shrew_with_a_View wrote:
alexiswolf4, RP didn't murder anyone, and if he had, then I agree the matter would be very different. RP's victim, very much alive, sued him and settled out of court. She has moved on. It seems pointless after over 30 years to pursue this matter - and at what cost? It smacks of vengeance, retribution, whatever you want to call it, which seems to be a hallmark of what passes for US justice. In RP's case, justice HAS been served as the victim has been recompensed directly and she is satisfied and indeed has called for the charges to be dropped. Who are you to say she is wrong? What would be achieved by putting RP in prison for the rest of his life, presumably incarcerated with other 'sexual predators' as Jennifer Tracey would wish?

Complain about this comment
6. At 3:00pm on 30 Sep 2009, Shrew_with_a_View wrote:
sorry, I meant the annonymous listener who wrote in, not the editor, Jennifer (I was surprised she was also writing in about underdogs and then I realised...)

Complain about this comment
7. At 3:02pm on 30 Sep 2009, 50william wrote:
When in Rome, A comment from the colonies:

When you visit my counrty please obey OUR LAWS or be willing to be subjuct to OUR LEGAL SYSTEM!!

In France 'they' think it is either to act this way & proposed solutions:
1. Our laws are too tough on SEX OFFENDERS. Please do not visit this counrty & envolve an UNDER AGE TEEN is this type of behavior.
2. This action is OK. Please change YOUR LAWS to make these types of behaviors LEGAL IN FRANCE or is it ALREADY LEGAL IN FRANCE? If this law passes are YOU WILLING TO ACCEPT SEX TOURISTS?? Are you willing to subject YOUR daughters, wives & mothers to drugged and/or drunk and UNABLE TO CONSENT TO A SEXUAL ACT?? This is a CLASSIC DEFINITION OF RAPE!!
3. Does France have an "age of consent for sex"?

from a yankee

Complain about this comment
8. At 4:20pm on 30 Sep 2009, 19peaches wrote:
I am glad that Polanski has been arrested, and he needs to pay the penalty for such a heinous crime. The victim should be left alone, as she requests. What bothers me about his famous supporters is that they think they are above the law. Would they support him if he had raped their daughter, mother, sister, or beloved? I imagine the answer is no. What would Polanski do to the rapist of one of his daughters?
He is completely without honor, and his eyes and demeanor betray this. He is completely shameless and honorless. He cannot buy honor.

Complain about this comment
9. At 10:52am on 02 Oct 2009, ingeniousCliff wrote:
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
10. At 11:16pm on 02 Oct 2009, Normanthegeordie wrote:
Roman Polanski committed a crime. The passage of time does not change that. The "moving on" or "forgiveness" of his victim does not change that. He should face the punishment he deserves. The countries who shielded a paedophile for 30 years should hang their heads in shame. So what that he is famous and directed some movies. Does that make him above the laws of the country he chose to live in?
He is an intellegent man, he knew what he did, he should face the consequences.

Complain about this comment
11. At 9:43pm on 04 Oct 2009, rogink wrote:
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

View these comments in RSS

Jump to more content from this blog

About this blog

The programme that starts with its listeners. Join daily discussions online and contribute ideas for a weekly programme presented by Eddie Mair and Jennifer Tracey.