Keeping the pressure on
By Barbara Struthers
ADELAIDE -- The full court seems in no hurry to rule on the conduct of Justice Derek Bollen in the now notorious rape in marriage trial. The hearing was on March 15, and there has still not been a judgment.
Could the judicial delays be more than just a congested court system? It would appear that the judiciary is stalling.
Media attention has been significant, however, but is likely to abate with these delays. When the case was heard, representatives of all the media groups in Adelaide were present.
This kind of panting enthusiasm by the media is new to me, as I'm usually involved in actions on women's issues which the media are rarely eager to attend. I don't quite know how to explain this persistent interest.
It may be that the media's reasons in reporting on the rape in marriage issue are less ethical than mercenary, but the coverage is useful to us even so. Perhaps we can encourage them and direct their interest by maintaining pressure on the judiciary. This can be done in a variety of ways, including public seminars on the issues and rallies at court hearings of other rape cases or domestic violence cases.
It is necessary to keep the pressure on in case the media turn it off.
Barbara Struthers is women's officer, Flinders University Students Association.
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