Good points about the studio system. I'd also blame the Production Code. Female characters in pre-Code films were often very independent, modern, sexually liberated, etc.— but they started being forced back into less interesting wife/ mother/ ingenue roles once the Code started being enforced in 1934.

What possible incentive would a dozen women have to lie about this, at a point when the statute of limitations is past and it's impossible to collect any kind of damages?

Putting the onus on women to "protect themselves" is inherently bullshit.

"Obviously, when it comes to rape, most victims know their attackers, but it'll be harder for them to overpower you if you're strong."

"I'm not trying to 'blame the victim'"

…. anywhere? I think so.

I'm having the same issue- sorting comments by "newer" seems to help slightly.

"I'm basically accusing her of negligence to herself."

I also liked her idea that fewer people would feel the need to do that if we re-named it "Hitler's advocate".

"that wasn't exactly smart."

The AV Club was blocked at work for the last few years, but magically became unblocked recently. Huzzah!!

Thank you for linking to that Toast article— I was just thinking about that (as I always do now, when I see the phrase "devil's advocate").

If I recall correctly from that case, her own mother initially encouraged her to spend time with Polanski and didn't believe or support her after the rape. Family support was not really a given back then, either.

For some people, not being believed by the people you love and trust most can be just as psychologically damaging.

I'm sure there's a huge body of literature out there on the psychological effects of trauma and sexual assault, the way that abusers psychologically manipulate and intimidate young victims, etc.

There are plenty of women out there who still have ridiculous 19th century views about rape. The fact that you know a few women who think this doesn't mean jack.

I'll second that. WTF??

These rumors have been circulating for years— I wouldn't say they were *that* secret. I first heard about them maybe 7 or 8 years ago. Details have gotten out in the press before.

I don't think it takes *that* much empathy or imagination to understand this, really.

Uh… how about the fact that 13+ women have reported the exact same thing? I'd call that a legit story.