Senior Northamptonshire MEP Roger Helmer under fire for rape blog
Roger Helmer
A TOP politician who represents Northamptonshire in the European Parliament has come under fire for saying some rape victims ‘share a part of the responsibility’ for their attack.
In his online blog, Conservative MEP Roger Helmer wrote an article defending Ken Clarke for comments he made on the sentencing of rapists last week.
But he has come under fire for suggesting in the article that victims of ‘date rape’ can be partly to blame for building up their attacker’s expectations.
Comparing a rape by a ‘masked stranger’ to a rape carried out after a woman has undressed and got into a man’s bed, he said: “While in the first case (stranger rape), the blame is squarely on the perpetrator and does not attach to the victim, in the second case (date rape) the victim surely shares a part of the responsibility, if only for establishing reasonable expectations in her boyfriend’s mind.”
The blog has received hundreds of angry responses, with some readers labelling Mr Helmer’s views ‘sickening’ and others calling for his resignation.
Defending his comments, Mr Helmer last night told the Chron his comments had been ‘blown out of all proportion’.
He said: “All I was saying was that if somebody deliberately exposes themselves to a dangerous situation and something unfortunately happens, they’re certainly not to blame, but they have some responsibility for putting themselves in a dangerous situation.”
But readers of the blog in Northampton have attacked the controversial Conservative MEP for his stance.
Northampton Borough Council member, Councillor Joy Capstick (Lab, Talavera) said: “This is an outrageous comment from a senior Conservative politician. There are no categories of rape. Rape is rape. This kind of attitude towards women will only discourage them from coming forward and reporting this hideous crime.”
Nationally, the Conservative Party has said Mr Helmer’s views are “clearly not the view of the party”. The full text of Mr Helmer’s blog can be read at roger helmermep.wordpress.com
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Comments
There are 13 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
lady muck
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 11:20 PMAbingtonall...Prompted by you, I have also looked at Wikipedia. Clearly Helmer, with his high-powered jobs, Cambridge Maths Degree coupled with his barking views, presents a dangerous lunatic at large. His 'rape thoughts' are the latest in a long line of published opinions which include that homophobia does not exist, the catholic church is systemically paedophile and that he is in favour of clubbing baby seals (sadly this is serious). I can only guess that his strong ant-EC opinions are the reason why he has been elected.....You couldn't make it up !
AbingtonAll
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 08:03 PMWhat does this moron have to do to be sacked by the Conservative Party?! I have just had a look on his wikipedia page and there doesn't seem to be a single group of people he hasn't offended. He's like that nutty old man ranting and raving at the back of the bus...
lady muck
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 05:11 PMHrolfk..surprisingly Clarke is actually a barrister, but his recent comments revealed that he was confused about the legal definition of rape and the distinction between the offence of having sex with a minor. The 'example' that Helmer has chosen is interesting because it could of course apply to a husband and wife. When his own wife undresses and gets into bed with him, does he explain that despite her headache, he just can't restrain himself ?...any subsequent intercourse would be rape
scrappy coco
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 02:52 PMThe man is a tool & laughing all the way to the bank on the Euro gravy train. I wonder if he would feel it partly his wifes fault if she was raped and beaten for doing no more than walking to her car one evening. This tool is totally out of touch with reality and should keep his mouth shut and his inane thoughts to himself!
TeddyMcnabb
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 12:53 PMHecto it isnt a question of free speech, do you too need reminded what the impact of such an evil crime has upon the victim, here is someone on the highly lucrative euro gravy train causing grave offence and hurt to rape victims and their loved ones, oh and no sanctions for him, tell the truth and there WILL be sanctions.
HrolfK
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 10:30 AMYou can't claim to defend free speech then moan when someone calls him a sick and disgusting animal - free speech allows us to spot the idiot. Helmer believes that once a man begins he can't stop, so if a victim indicates that it is OK at any point they must go through with what happens no matter if they're in pain or distressed at any point. He demonstrates the point by continuing to bleat like an idiot in the comment section of his blog - he cannot be stopped now he has started. He also has little understanding of the law (much like Ken Clarke), not realising assault and rape are two separate charges, and both have little interest in learning before speaking - dangerous combination in those elected. He is an uneducated, ill-informed, opinionated tit - the more people know that the better.
willi eckaslyke
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 10:23 AMProbably the best way to play safe (so to speak) is that once the woman is undressed and in the bed, a written statement is produced for signing, confirming that it's OK to proceed...(come to think of it though, this could only work in the case of threesomes, as the signature would need to be witnessed)
Shalom
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 10:14 AMThere is just a touch of hysteria in some of these comments , as there was in response to ken Clarke's comments. To say "Rape is Rape", is naive. As with any crime , there is a sliding scale of seriousness. Sentencing needs to reflect that..And yes, people need to consider if their actions contribute in any way to an offence committed against them. Surely, that is only common sense.
Liberator
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:51 AMI'm with Hecto on this one, and that it is not to label rape as anything other than it is - a serious crime which rightfully carried a heavy penalty - no excuses. But as the man said - "I may disgaree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". This country is going to hell in a handcart if people cannot express an opinion without being called " a sick disgusting animal". You may apply that description to a perpetrator - but not to someone commenting on it particularly when they are in no way condoning the crime.
lady muck
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:36 AMI don't know what this idiot is attempting to say, but in future he should keep quiet about a serious subject - has he learned nothing from Ken Clarke's crucifixion ?
jenny jane
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:35 AMhector this moron try being that victim that has been ' date raped' all these comments would be changed! Rape is rape full stop!
hecto
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:24 AMDown with free speech. Are there going to be any politically incorrect concentration camps for those who say something non approved ?
TeddyMcnabb
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 08:06 AMA sick disgusting animal!
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