Nothing surprises me when it comes from the mouth of a Trump. Melania says, “...to accuse, without evidence is damaging and unfair.” My response to the ‘unfairness’, is I agree. But not unfair to the accused. It is the victim who usually gets the unfair treatment. I , for one, think it is another example of this mindset of Trumpism that lacks of empathy from those who live in a sheltered, pampered existence.
In the past year or so we have heard of many assaults on victims. Be it Cosby, Weinstein, Spacey, Lauer and so many others. For years the victims have of these creeps have had to live with the pain. And to suggest that hard evidence in a court of law is the only way that the accused gets fair treatment is just plain ignorant. Let me tell you my personal story.
I am a 62-year young male. I am hetero, family man, had a great wife (in memory) and a straight shooter. Sometime back in the late 70’s I was roofied. At the time I had no idea that date-rape drugs existed. I really didn’t know much about date-rape. I dated here and there but generally had girlfriend.
One night I had a platonic girlfriend over. She happened to bring her guy friend. Seemed like a nice guy. The came over about 10 in the evening or so. The guy brought a 6-pack of beer. He asked to use the fridge, of course, go ahead. I look back on it and now see the error of my ignorance. This guy had been watching me closely as I drank the first beer. Instantly he went to the kitchen, brought me a beer, this one unopened. Hmm, nice gesture I thought, he has opened it for me. \
As we sat there in the living room and chatted I very quickly became tired. My head was falling to the side. Not realizing I had been drugged I became very weak and sleepy quickly. The drug hit me in a matter of minutes. My girlfriend suggested to her friend that they leave as it appeared I was getting sleepy. Last thing I remember is seeing them go out my front door.
At some point during the night I had awakened, albeit briefly. I can recall with photographic certainty that I saw this guy removing my pants. Then I passed out again. Next thing I knew I started to awaken. As I am lying there I am feeling something going on down below my belt. I soon realize someone is performing on me. I recall thinking to myself what I did that night, and how could I fall asleep having sex? Is it my actual girlfriend? No, she was in Israel. Who is it I wondered?
I was lying on my back on the couch. As I opened my eyes and looked down I saw the back of a man’s bald head having his way with me. By now I had regained some strength, enough to lift my upper body. As I stirred this guy, the same one who was in my house earlier, got up and quickly ran out my door.
My senses now being sharpened I had turned to a sitting position on my couch, naked from the waist down. I got up to look out my window and this guy was getting ins his car and sped away.
This your honor is my evidence in its entirety. Is it enough ‘hard evidence’ for a conviction? I have no idea. Yet, it is a true story. It is a story that had affected me for some years, even more so because it was a guy who had raped me. I can tell the story now because I am stronger, as time has healed the pain, but the scar remains. Yet, there is no physical evidence. To suggest that a victim would save the beer bottle, gather dna saliva from my penis, or to have a camera nearby and snap some photos is a ridiculous notion. In a Trump courthouse I would not even get a hearing. But what about the evidence of the mental anguish? Does that count?
Within days of this this rape I recall feelings of despair, worthlessness, being objectified, a play toy. I called off work for a couple of weeks. I stayed home, sheltered myself. It affected me so much that I could no longer trust strangers, or engage in a personal close relationship with another woman. I can recall not having sex for at least a coupe of years as it felt dirty. Yet, it is my personal story, a true story. Sadly, it is a story that is repeated many, many times. Not just in USA but all over the world. Most of the victims are someone like me, an every day kind of guy. I am a non-celebrity, hence my story will never make the headlines. Same for most victims.
This lack of empathy, understanding, fairness from the mouths of the Trumps and those who support them is one of ‘show us the hard evidence’ or keep your mouth shut. That is plain wrong, mean-spirited and yet another example of the narcissism within the world of Trump.