[Gendergap] Dominique_Strauss-Kahn_sexual_assault_case

[Karen Sue Rolph]

Dear Colleagues,

RE: Dominique_Strauss-Kahn_sexual_assault_case  

The title of this page needs neutrality; for example, it could read:

Dominique Strauss-Kahn: Resigns IMF Leadership Amid Sexual Assault Charges

I agree there must be presumed innocence written into the semantics, but would not want to see the victim-apparent's charges of guilt minimized either.  I will not post this, but invite feedback.

The alleged victim, said to be 32 years old and widowed, was reported by National Public Radio and ABC World News, to be a Muslim who came to the U.S. on an asylum visa.  The same news agencies, who interviewed neighbors of the alleged victim, reported she wears a head scarf.  If these reports are accurate, this may complicate reporting abroad, given the fact that under President Nicolas Sarkozy, France banned appearing publicly in the niqab and burka, full-face veiling and garments worn by some traditional Muslim women.  

In the Arab world, ightisab, or rape, is an abomination to be reported, and if there is sufficient evidence against a perpetrator, hadd may be the punishment.  Muslim rape victims regain purity by ritual, are able to come forward, be seen, heard, and treated kindly (and without deprecation) when they've voiced rape charges.  Some Quranic scholars interpret rape as a crime more serious than murder.

Using Reuters photos, l'affaire DSK broadened and spread into international publications including reports that Mssr. Strauss-Kahn had troubled relations with "des call-girls" in Manhattan.  Other charges appeared; a maid in Mexico was said to have had a similar encounter with DSK but never reported it for fear of public disgrace.  From France, the daughter of a Strauss-Kahn personal and professional associate also described inappropriate advances some years ago.  Mssr. Strauss-Kahn was seen as so powerful that charges against him would ultimately be fruitless.

His alleged victim in Manhattan is said to have faith that a U.S. trial will justly prove his guilt in spite of Mssr. Strauss-Kahn's worldly influence.

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/18/136412953/after-complaint-imf-chief-s-arrest-was-swift

http://abcnews.go.com/US/dominique-strauss-kahn-sex-case-alleged-victims-lawyer/story?id=13627104

For a lesson (scroll down) on the several kinds of head-coverings considered appropriate by (some) Muslim women, please visit:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10611398

ksrolph

 		 	   		  
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