The players:
Dominique Strauss-Kahn one of the most powerful men in the world with a predatory sexual history.
A 32-year-old Guinean-born woman who may have told lies in the past to get asylum in the US, and hints of criminal activity.
The press:
The press both in the US and here in France in a never ending rush for good copy jumping to different conclusions and skirting close to the wind of conspiracy theory.
The lawyers
The defense going all out to tear apart the plaintiff and bring up memories of another high profile case.
The prosecution backed into a corner and writing letters explaining the character of their witness.
What is known?
Neither side has denied the sexual nature of the encounter. The fact of the matter is [forensic evidence aside] this is a he said she said story; it will revolve around character assassination, and on whether the sexual activity was consensual or not.
The dangers:
Rape is already the most under reported crime in America and no matter which way the case goes and if justice is served or not cases like this will only make matters worse. Couple this with moves by the right wing to define what rape is by the level of violence required and we have a no win situation for victims. I have already heard the argument that the chambermaid wasn't really hurt; therefore she must be lying and only in it to make money.
Neither the plaintiff nor the defendant are going to come out of this process unscathed no matter what the verdict. Real rapists will not be dissuaded from committing an assault; however victims may well shy away from reporting the crime [this is supported by historical data].
This trial by media does nobody any favors, and it is a shame that the lawyers have also participated in the show and has now made the whole episode a three ring circus. The prosecution is playing a high stakes game which should have been left for the courtroom. I suppose the next part will to be if the case can be heard by an unbiased jury.
The worst result for victims is if the chambermaid is found to be lying, this will then taint any future high profile case and sadly probably prevent them coming forward. The other victim if not guilty is DSK; his career is in tatters for now, I'm sure a publicity machine is already being geared up.
For victims of rape this case is a nightmare no matter what the outcome, for future victims of rape it is a warning of what you could be subjected to; after all Snow White would probably be blamed for eating the apple in the first place.