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| Strauss-Kahn's Cambridge visit is an irresponsible use of a potent platform | Strauss-Kahn's Cambridge visit is an irresponsible use of a potent platform |
| (6 days later) | |
| Following a petition by Cambridge university Women's Campaign, a group of protesters will later this afternoon meet outside Greater St Mary's Church in Cambridge. They are marching to the Union Society to demonstrate against a speaker's event invitation to Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and I will definitely be joining them. | Following a petition by Cambridge university Women's Campaign, a group of protesters will later this afternoon meet outside Greater St Mary's Church in Cambridge. They are marching to the Union Society to demonstrate against a speaker's event invitation to Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and I will definitely be joining them. |
| I think that an institution like the union has a responsibility to reject a speaker with a record of serial misogyny, in the same way that I feel that they would have a responsibility to reject a speaker with a record of serial racism. For me, DSK's behaviour certainly fulfils the former category: take, for example, the case of journalist Tristane Banon, of which the prosecutor said in a statement contained "facts that could be qualified as sexual assault". In addition to this, his international renown as a womaniser speaks volumes. But perhaps most distressing is his approach to the allegations made by Nafissatou Diallo. The issue isn't whether or not Strauss-Kahn raped Diallo, our focus rests with his argument that previous lies told by the maid invalidate any future claim of suffering sexual violence. | I think that an institution like the union has a responsibility to reject a speaker with a record of serial misogyny, in the same way that I feel that they would have a responsibility to reject a speaker with a record of serial racism. For me, DSK's behaviour certainly fulfils the former category: take, for example, the case of journalist Tristane Banon, of which the prosecutor said in a statement contained "facts that could be qualified as sexual assault". In addition to this, his international renown as a womaniser speaks volumes. But perhaps most distressing is his approach to the allegations made by Nafissatou Diallo. The issue isn't whether or not Strauss-Kahn raped Diallo, our focus rests with his argument that previous lies told by the maid invalidate any future claim of suffering sexual violence. |
| For me and many others, attendance of the protest is part of a wider rejection of the cultures of misogyny and rape apologism. The protest is particularly directed against the treatment of Diallo's attempt to make rape allegations, as this mirrors a persistent, international trend: the trivialisation of sexual crimes and accusations. This is a theme all too prevalent in England, where the conviction rate for reported rapes in England and Wales is 6% on the full charge of rape. Part of the event later on will be an inclusive platform to discuss these issues. | |
| The Union Society argues that their invitation extends to an economist, and that his personal life is irrelevant. They reject the Women's Campaign belief that DSK's reputation is as much based on his notorious misogyny as his economic involvement. While the personal life of Strauss-Kahn should not be subject to our judgement, by treating numerous women appallingly, DSK has forced the situation. | The Union Society argues that their invitation extends to an economist, and that his personal life is irrelevant. They reject the Women's Campaign belief that DSK's reputation is as much based on his notorious misogyny as his economic involvement. While the personal life of Strauss-Kahn should not be subject to our judgement, by treating numerous women appallingly, DSK has forced the situation. |
| The campaign has been condemned by some for allegedly repressing freedom of speech. Indeed, the Union Society defends his invitation on these very grounds. I've always been a staunch defender of freedom of speech, but I do understand that there is a difference between systematic oppression and the provision of a platform. For the public, the union is often assumed to represent Cambridge, not least because of confusion with the Student's Union – a separate body. Thus the invitations offered by the union make a significant statement. Access to such a platform should be managed responsibly. Freedom of speech does not equate to a right to a powerful platform. | The campaign has been condemned by some for allegedly repressing freedom of speech. Indeed, the Union Society defends his invitation on these very grounds. I've always been a staunch defender of freedom of speech, but I do understand that there is a difference between systematic oppression and the provision of a platform. For the public, the union is often assumed to represent Cambridge, not least because of confusion with the Student's Union – a separate body. Thus the invitations offered by the union make a significant statement. Access to such a platform should be managed responsibly. Freedom of speech does not equate to a right to a powerful platform. |
| I've found the Women's Campaign quite an empowering platform myself. It has engaged with the theme of International Women's Day 2012 – connecting women, inspiring futures. The demonstration is set to provide an inclusive space to talk about issues from rape apologism to cultures of misogyny. Far from oppressing freedom of speech, I feel like the overwhelming support for the campaign has given voice to those many who live without a direct line to the media. What started as a small-scale campaign has snowballed, bringing issues of sexism and sexual crime in to the national sphere. In addition, some protesters are also using the opportunity to express dissatisfaction with the IMF. While some individuals have felt the need for direct action, separate to the official protest, I particularly respect the campaign's ability to create a strong response without having impinged on the Union Society's rights. | I've found the Women's Campaign quite an empowering platform myself. It has engaged with the theme of International Women's Day 2012 – connecting women, inspiring futures. The demonstration is set to provide an inclusive space to talk about issues from rape apologism to cultures of misogyny. Far from oppressing freedom of speech, I feel like the overwhelming support for the campaign has given voice to those many who live without a direct line to the media. What started as a small-scale campaign has snowballed, bringing issues of sexism and sexual crime in to the national sphere. In addition, some protesters are also using the opportunity to express dissatisfaction with the IMF. While some individuals have felt the need for direct action, separate to the official protest, I particularly respect the campaign's ability to create a strong response without having impinged on the Union Society's rights. |
| Despite the retention of the invitation, I feel like the campaign has won a wider victory. Before the protest has even started, we've brought issues that are so often overlooked to a broad audience. | Despite the retention of the invitation, I feel like the campaign has won a wider victory. Before the protest has even started, we've brought issues that are so often overlooked to a broad audience. |
| • This article was amended on 14 March 2012. The original referred to a conviction rate of 6% for rape. This is the proportion of reported rapes in England and Wales that end in a conviction on the charge of rape itself (as distinct from lesser assault charges). The article has been clarified accordingly. | |
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