In the latest installment of 'misogynistic news that will make your blood boil', a US judge is facing a possible three-month, unpaid suspension for asking an alleged sexual assault victim whether she tried 'closing her legs' to prevent the attack from happening.
The Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct, who are overseeing the case, argued that New Jersey Superior Court Judge John F. Russo Jr. violated the Code of Judicial Conduct with his line of questioning.
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The resulting 45-page document recommending his suspension was released earlier this week.
However, there have been other worrying instances in his cases over the years too, according to the Washington Post.
In a transcript from the hearing, the judge started his line of questioning by asking: "Do you know how to stop somebody from having intercourse with you?"
He then asked the woman to list ways to prevent assaults like the one she'd suffered; she listed attempting to harm her assailant, saying no, and fleeing.
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The alleged victim responded: "That's all I know," when asked what else could be done to prevent being assaulted.
The judge responded: "Block your body parts? Close your legs? Call the police? Did you do any of those things?"
The committee thankfully found the judge's line of questioning "unwarranted" and "egregious given the potential for those questions to re-victimise the [alleged victim], who sought redress from the court under palpably difficult circumstances."
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Their report then states that the judge denied the woman's request for a restraining order, citing her answers to his questions as the reason to refuse to keep her safe/put her mind at ease.
Unbelievably, the judge has defended his line of questioning and denies it was inappropriate, arguing it was necessary to "demonstrate the element of force or coercion used during the assault."
The committee, however, claims the judge has agreed to not ask similar questions of victims in the future.
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In March 2018, the judge's own lawyer, David F. Corrigan, told the local NBC News station after the complaint was filed: "Judge Russo looks forward to a public hearing in which he will be able to respond to the allegations against him."
The committee interviewed the problematic judge himself and around 25 others in their investigation.
The New York Times have reported that the New Jersey Supreme Court announced a July hearing to determine what disciplinary actions will be taken against the judge. Justice, served? We hope so.
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