Was That Rape? (or just regrettable sex)

In Crim class we've started talking about rape.

I'm a squeamish prude so class makes me very uncomfortable. My whole policy on the topic of s-e-x, is "Don't ask, don't tell, and PLEASE don't talk to me about it!"

But a law student doesn't have that luxury. I've had to read numerous cases so far with quite detailed and graphic descriptions and I've learned some new words describing some pretty crass acts (which I will spare you all from here).

Legally speaking however, rape is a very interesting and unique crime. It is the only crime where the alleged victim's words and conduct are scrutinized more than the defendant's. The focus is on what the victim said, did, etc. Did she lead him on? Did she say no? When she said no, did she really mean no?

In general, we read a lot of cases on the borderline between consent and non-consent. Those cases are full of passive girls who didn't verbally or physically object and willingly engaged in almost everything but sex. In my generation, it was called going to all the bases except for "home."

Girls like that shouldn't have the law on their side. I mean, come on, what did you THINK would happen? If you play with fire, are you surprised you got burned? Of course I have sympathy for misguided souls who exercise poor judgment (we all do from time to time). But my sympathy and "criminally charging an innocent hormone-driven guy" are two different things.

A guy shouldn't be punished for being...well, just a normal guy.