Yabby I believe the charge is not 'rape' but something to do with unprotected sex.

I would not take the various and different media accounts of the situation as gospel like you appear to, let the Courts decide based on the law.

I am a fan of Assange (or at least his work - I don't know him personally) so I hope he is not guilty but I also hope the women involved are also given a fair trial. The truth will eventually out.

Jewely

Just because people accuse others of crimes out of malice doesn't necessarily mean that they are lying. Prisons are full of blokes who told their girlfriends about crimes that they had committed, only to have a messy break-up, where she uses the police to get back at him. Detectives must love ex-girlfriends.

Yabby

The point that I made is that he isn't the worst rapist in history, but his behaviour is still way out of line. If the charges can be proven, jail time isn't out of order.

From my understanding it takes over three months before one can be over 95% sure of not having been infected with AIDS. If a person is unfortunate enough to have acquired the disease then they can infect others during this period.

If I was a woman who had, through misfortune or intent by a sexual partner, unprotected sex I would of course be concerned. If upon learning that the partner had been more promiscuous that I had first thought and had unprotected sex days before me my concern would obviously deepen and I would understandably be upset.

If that partner then refused to take an STD test I would be very pissed off and if I had a remedy under the laws of my country I would give it serious consideration.

Who but the most belligerent would condemn me?

*If that partner then refused to take an STD test I would be very pissed off and if I had a remedy under the laws of my country I would give it serious consideration.*

I certainly would condem you, Csteele. For you would be trying to
use the law, to make yourself feel better, about your own foolish
behaviour. If the law allows you to do that, then the law is an ass.

The last time that I had a serious fling, we both saw the writing
on the wall, at my suggestion and given her occupation, we both
had a blood test. After that, all was cool.

If you are not sure, there is always the option of saying no. Throwing
people into jail, because you screwed up, is hardly ethical.

Csteele,
Don't take much notice of Yabby, you would certainly be not only within your rights, but your course of action would be the most sensible.

If in spite of your precautions, you MAY have been infected with an STD, then you would have every right to demand termination of intercourse, and to demand proper testing and, if your partner refused either way, then you could bring charges against him/her, for assault.

He would have carried out an action upon your person against your will, plain and simple. Ergo, assault. That's what assault means, Yabby, regardless of who Assange might be or what he might represent, as a revolutionary force against US imperialism or capitalism in general, or just another sleaze-bag.

Actually, regardless of whether or not someone was infected with an STD, if a guy continued with intercourse when a woman asked him to stop, then he is guilty of assault, perhaps of rape. If no expressed termination of consent, then no rape, or assault. If objections, then withdrawal of consent, then rape, incredibly difficult as it may be for a guy.

Dear Yabby,

What?? You are probably just stirring the possums but I will have a nibble regardless.

How on earth was my behaviour foolish? I had negotiated in good faith a protected sex with a man I found to be exciting, intriguing and attractive.

If I had been armed with the information now in the possession of those who may now come after me I may well have said no to the encounter. I was not fortunate enough to make a fully informed decision but through my actions others may now do so.

Stepping out of character I should say I still believe the courts should be left to decide this matter so my response above is just to make a point rather than anything more definitive.

What is not ethical is apportioning blame to the victim as you have just done.