Anger Erupts in New Zealand After Defense Lawyer Told Victim to ‘Close Your Legs’ to Avoid Rape
“All she would have had to do was to close her legs… it’s as simple as that,” the newspaper quoted him as saying in his closing arguments.
“Why didn’t she do that? The reason she didn’t do that was because the sex was consensual, as easy as that.”
Natalie Gousmett from the Wellington Rape Crisis Centre said the remarks were “horrific” and attempted to shift the blame for sexual assault onto the victim.
She said the case, and the so-called “Roastbusters” controversy — which involved a group of Auckland youths boasting online about having group sex with underage girls — had thrown a spotlight on attitudes to sexual assault in New Zealand.
“It is an example of victim-blaming comments and rape culture, which we’ve seen all too much in the last week and a half,” she said.
“It’s very offensive obviously, and harmful for the victim and her family.”
Jefferies conceded he had made the comments but said they came while defending his client and did not reflect his personal views.
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