I don't think anyone was claiming otherwise. I think people were just trying to shed light on the cop's statement. To me, it sounded like he was trying to explain the situation. The flaw is that he should not have given details at all. He should have just said that the child was assaulted. The end. But it sounds like…

Yes, and if you read the cop’s words again, with all that in mind that you just said, you can interpret it differently. To me, it sounded like an unskillful way for the cop to say exactly that. He’s explaining exactly what you explained. It might appear that she could’ve been willing, but this is irrelevant since she…

But even going to the airport (where he had that traumatic encounter) was a whole day later. That means he wondered for a whole day without figuring out how to get any help!

OH yes. I totally agree with everything you’ve said here, and now that I’ve scrolled back and read your posts, I agree with everything you’ve written. I think I must’ve responded to you accidentally, as I meant to respond to the person who said the cop was as bad as the rapist. I agree that what he said was wrong, and…

Oh yes, of course. A lot of the talking/flirting/notewriting is bravado. Children act out that way to shock and to get attention, but also because they have sexual feelings that are confusing and they are learning how to handle them. The more serious cases I mentioned- absolutely those kids had problems. I don’t know…

Yes, I'm sure that's the case. Sometimes it's difficult to see things from other people's perspective, and stories like this remind me of just how many hard knocks some people face. I think the most heart-breaking part is that this is a dude who has decided to be proactive and step up to the challenge of taking…

Look, I agree that the cop worded this WAY wrong. And also it comes off the way you say it comes off. But I’m also willing to consider that the cop just tripped over his words because he was in a situation that he didn’t really know how to properly express. That doesn’t make it right, but it’s likely. Most people…

Yes, this is a more accurate way of stating what I tried to say. 12 year olds who are sexually active often (though probably not always) are dealing with something they can't handle and usually there is a psychological reason. 12 year olds having sex with grownups- yes that is abusive and a sign of major psychological…

Well that's why I think it's strange. Surely he could figure out how to get back to the hotel? Or to an embassy? Or a police station? Or a tourist information center? Or a library? Or maybe even a church?

Yes. And it happens more than people want to admit, especially with high risk populations for all sorts of socio-psychological reasons. However, and this can't be said clearly enough: There is no situation whatsoever that makes it appropriate, legal, or not-damaging for an adult to have sex with a 12 year old.

OK- I totally agree that there is absolutely no situation in which an adult can have sex with a 12 year old and make it even a little OK. It’s rape, straight out. But you are just absolutely totally wrong and naïve if you think 12 year olds have no concept of sex. I'm sure there are some who do not. Some 12 year olds…

Yes, that's what I was thinking as well. It's a crime. The dude is a rapist because of her age and it's disgusting. The girl is a victim. Also, if she was willing to go with the guy, I can understand the cop's awkward phrasing. Probably they should have put more thought into how they made the statement, because - as…

Wow. That's terrible and heartbreaking, but also... I guess he's a really inexperienced adult? Not blaming him. I guess you'd have no idea you couldn't handle simple logistical probs in a new city until you face those challenges, but still... it's hard to understand how it could happen that he couldn't come up with…

You are probably right. It's just horrific. I guess I just have to think it's the cognitive dissonance clouding their brains because the alternative? Uggh.

Well that's the impression I got, but now I'm wondering if I'm getting this story mixed up with another. I got the impression that they were like "sure when she was older because she's manipulative and he's just a man, after all" but I thought they believe she was lying (a woman scorned) about the child rape thing.…

Is that the case? I didn't get that impression from the news, but maybe I'm the one that's confused. If that is the case, then I take back my other two posts.

Yes it's horrible. It's all sorts of fucked up. They don't believe it for whatever nutso crazy cognitive dissonance they are going through that would let them blame the victim. No excuse for that. But it is different than choosing to support someone even though you accept that they are a child rapist, which is what…

Did you read the article? It quotes Adele as wondering if her fame is partially due to being “fat” (her word) since she thinks it helps people see her as a real person. I’m saying, no, her fame is because she is amazingly talented, and if her weight were to have any effect on her popularity, then it would probably be…

It's not that they support a child rapist. It's that they don't believe he is a child rapist. That is also fucked up. But it's a different type of fucked up.

This might be stating the obvious, but rotate around and then you'll have plenty to do.