Remember the prostitute, raped at gunpoint, whose trial ended with the judge dropping all rape charges and converting them to “theft of services”?
The story’s not over. After a blowup in the blogosphere, Philadelphia activists began a grassroots movement supporting the disbarment of Municipal Judge Theresa Carr Deni. On Tuesday, Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Jane Leslie Dalton issued a statement that spoke forcefully against Deni’s decision, stating that “The victim has been brutalized twice in this case: first by the assailants, and now by the court.”
So now there’s controversy over Deni’s ruling and over Dalton’s statement as the rest of the bar reacts. Personally, I’m just glad that someone in the system managed to stand up and say how ridiculous and painfully biased the decision was. If it stands, it sets an awful precedent.
With the myriad shootings and other violent crimes that have recently taken place, the Philadelphia judiciary doesn’t need to give its population more excuses to commit crimes. Kudos to Dalton for her strong statement, and kudos to everyone who sent letters of complaint to the bar. Justice still has a chance.
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November 2nd, 2007 at 8:33 pm
For immediate release
Contact: 877-776-2004 info@DesireeAlliance.org
Rape is NOT an Occupational Hazard!
Sex Workers Join Women’s Groups and Sexual Assault Survivors’ Groups to Urge PA Voters to Vote ‘No’ on the Retention of Judge Teresa Carr Deni
Judge Teresa Carr Deni spawned outrage from all directions after ruling on October 4th that a sex worker that was raped at gunpoint by multiple men was NOT sexually assaulted, rather she was just robbed. Deni commented in an Oct. 12th interview that this case “minimizes true rape cases and demeans women who are really raped.”
Grassroots activists around the country, including nationwide sex worker-led organizations such as the Desiree Alliance and regional advocacy groups from coast to coast responded with anger and disgust for Deni’s disregard of the basic human rights of the rape victim in this case. “Deni’s decision in this case sends a message that sex workers can be targeted for violence with impunity. Rape of sex workers is common, alarmingly under-reported, and rarely taken seriously by authorities,” Kitten Infinite of Sex Workers’ Outreach Project said. “Violence against sex workers is perpetuated by the state through discriminatory laws and judicial rulings such as this.”
Sex workers in the US and abroad are organizing and becoming more vocal about the violence and discrimination that they face. “Because prostitution is criminalized, our human rights and our boundaries are clearly not respected,” Mariko Passion, a board member from the Desiree Alliance commented, she continues, “…forcing or manipulating sexual intercourse by fraud, fear or coercion is rape.” On Oct 30th, after considerable pressure from sex workers and feminists around the country, the PA Bar Association issued a statement condemning Deni’s action, stating that, “The victim has been brutalized twice in this case: first by the assailants, and now by the court.”
The Desiree Alliance applauds Association Chancellor Jane Dalton’s review of the matter and we find some satisfaction in the fact that the District Attorney’s office has re-filed rape charges against the perpetrator of this despicable crime. However, we still call on voters to vote ‘No’ on retaining Deni in the election on November 6th. The Desiree Alliance will hold a virtual press conference and rally on Monday, November 5th at 5pm Eastern for sex workers and allies to comment publicly about this case and how to prevent further discrimination against sex workers.
Who: Desiree Alliance and Affiliates
What: “Rape is NOT an Occupational Hazard!” Virtual rally
Why: Judge Teresa Carr Deni should not be retained as a Municipal Court Judge in Philadelphia
When: Monday, November 5, 2007 5pm Eastern, 2pm Pacific
Where: http://www.BoundNotGagged.com
November 16th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Great article. I just don’t understand why criminals have more rights than the victims.
We should send a message to the law makers and those whose job it is to enforce them.
James
http://www.personalprotectionzone.com