Pennsylvania Woman Blamed for Rape; Attorney General Walks Back Incriminating Accusation
A Pennsylvania rape victim is being blamed in part by the Attorney General for her own rape, causing outrage across the state and nation.
A 24-year-old former state prison clerk was raped by inmate Omar Best while working at Rockview State Prison. Best was already charged with assaulting a female employee at a different facility and was transferred to Rockview when the rape occurred. The victim filed a lawsuit against the Department of Corrections, triggering the response from the Attorney General's office.
"Some or all of the damages plaintiff have alleged are in part, or substantially due, to the acts of third parties other than the answering defendants, and/or plaintiff acted in a manner which in whole or in part contributed to the events which led to the damages plaintiff has alleged in her complaint," AG Kathleen Lane wrote in court documents.
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The statement has led to state and nationwide outrage at the AG's office for victim-blaming.
"It is troubling and disturbing that they would take a position so contrary to the position the district attorney took in the criminal case," attorney Clifford Rieders told the Centre Daily Times.
Of course, there has been back-tracking by the AG's office to regain respect and credibility with the public, especially with females and other rape victims.
"Attorney General Kane is disappointed that she was not made aware of this matter prior to the filing and was saddened to learn that the filing implied that the victim somehow contributed to this crime," a statement from the office read. She is "sensitive to the extraordinary challenges victims face in both the criminal and civil processes, particularly in cases involving sexual assault."
Best was convicted of the rape in May 2014 and sentenced to life behind bars earlier this month. The prison was found to have failed the victim in procedures and the superintendent was removed from her position at the prison. Seventy new corrections officers were hired to attend to the prison and other changes were made to keep visitors safe.
"Contributory negligence is one such defense the office often presents on behalf of our clients—whether we like it or not—so that this defense can be preserved," Kane's office stated. "This initial filing should not necessarily be interpreted as meaning this defense will be pursued throughout the entire case."
