E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSA sexual assault victim who was groped by an off-duty police officer is demanding an apology from an Arizona judge who during a sentencing hearing for the defendant told her: "If you wouldn’t have been there that night, none of this would have happened to you.”
coconino.az.gov
Coconino County Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Hatch.
An online petition drive launched on Change.org, a popular website for social activism, has garnered more than 4,600 supporters nationwide calling for Coconino County Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Hatch to resign for her remarks during a court hearing on Wednesday.
Hatch, a Republican appointed by Gov. Jan Brewer in June 2010, did not return a telephone call from NBC News seeking comment. The woman's name was withheld because she is a victim of a sexual crime.
According to the Arizona Daily Sun, a jury convicted 43-year-old Robb Gary Evans of a felony charge of sexual abuse on July 2. Prosecutors said Evans walked up behind the victim in a Flagstaff bar, put his hand up her skirt and groped her last summer. The former Arizona Department of Public Safety officer had been facing a maximum sentence of up to 2 ½ years in prison, but received two years of probation, community service and treatment. He was fired after his conviction.
The Daily Sun's account of the court hearing:
Bad things can happen in bars, Hatch told the victim, adding that other people might be more intoxicated than she was.
"If you wouldn't have been there that night, none of this would have happened to you," Hatch said.
Hatch told the victim and the defendant that no one would be happy with the sentence she gave, but that finding an appropriate sentence was her duty.
"I hope you look at what you've been through and try to take something positive out of it," Hatch said to the victim in court. "You learned a lesson about friendship and you learned a lesson about vulnerability."
Hatch said that the victim was not to blame in the case, but that all women must be vigilant against becoming victims.
"When you blame others, you give up your power to change," Hatch said that her mother used to say.
The victim said Hatch's comments were inappropriate, adding that she felt Hatch was accusing her of allowing herself to become a victim.
"It felt like she was saying to me, 'If you wouldn't have been there that night, it wouldn't have happened to you.' Yeah, well, it probably would have happened to someone else," the victim told the Daily Sun during a telephone interview.
Watch the Top Videos on NBCNews.com
“I’m still kind of in shock that she said that to me,” the victim said. “Coming from a woman, I would expect her to be a little bit more realistic about women being strong and independent and the fact that there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Hatch's comments have caused an uproar in Flagstaff, the Daily Sun reported.
“It takes a lot to come forward, to ask for help, to share the details of a traumatic event with strangers,” Kris Stark, executive director of Victim/Witness Services for Coconino County, told the Daily Sun. “The message from Victim Witness to a sexual assault survivor is that you are not responsible for an unwanted, uninvited assault on your body.”
Hatch, who was elected to a full term in November 2010, is up for reelection in 2014.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Caribbean, Florida coral in sharp decline, 'no signs of slowing, report finds
- Hoax that grounded US Air jet sparked by Facebook photo
- Mass. city the first in US to ban sale of plastic water bottles
- As deadline looms, Chicago fears major teachers strike
- Navy sailor earns gold one year after losing sight in Afghanistan
- Video: Cop rushes to save unconscious driver
Leave a Comment:
NO matter how this judge got into office, she should resign immediately.. What an uncaring, pompous sicko she is. The people of Arizona will be well rid of her, and nobody can trust any verdicts she reaches in future. Get her out.
I study law, and what "I" see here is a woman who is inside a bar. Though it may be a petty crime, men in places where this particular establishment may be a bit shady, do like to touch women and (supposedly) have a good time. I'm not particularly shocked by the judges comment. What the victim is supposed to do, is to tell the man "please don't touch me." Anything beyond that, then the aggressor is asking for trouble, and may be charged with "simple battery." The victim's option's depend on how the manager wants to run his establishment. You can take it from here. JR
Sounds like he did take it further.
What does that have to do with the judge's inappropriate comment?
If you are a lawyer, you wouldn't defend your client from such a comment?
I said lawyer. I should have said study of law. With that said, you think a manager word is greater than law? You need to really crack down on the books, regulations, codes, laws and acts.
Are you saying a man has a freebie?
Just keep voting Republican and welcome to the Matrix.
The dope making this ignorant, insensitive comment is a republican.
I guess that's all we need to know. And not surprising either.
(Did she mentiuon that, if the groping perp had not been there, this probably would not have happened to the victim either?)
Obviously this judge has interjected her personal views into a matter of law. She is an idiot and should be sacked. As time goes on, I get more worried about Arizona. Look at the Bozo governor. What a waste of space and oxygen.
If you walk into an establishment and a cop is a customer, wouldn't you feel a sense of security? Wouldn't that make it a "safer" bar technically? So, why are Republicans assuming from the written article that it was a bad bar? He didn't just groop her when she walked in. She felt safe and welcomed. She has that right.
This is what conservative republicans believe no matter whatever else they may say - women who are raped, assaulted, etc. are ALWAYS are fault. Next up this judge will chastise a woman who is horribly beaten by her husband because the little woman didn't clean his socks the way he wanted.
I think some of the guys who post in here need to open their zippers and get a little fresh air to their brains.
What the Judge said is absolutely right problem is you can't say it in this society. There is no doubt the cop is a scumbag and i think his sentence is too light. The other problem is the young lady should know that hanging around in bars with people drinking that things happen. Of course she has the right to be there but that doesn't mean she shold be especially late at night. I raised three daughters and two sons and I tried to teach them that there are some times and places you just shouldn't be. late night in bars, out running around at 1 or 2 am int he morning etc etc. My one son is a cop now and he understands what i meant. When you put yourself in harms way harm happens. The judge was not trying to blame the victim but to teach the victim. It's like if you decide to take a short cut when walking home thriugh a dark alley. Of course you have the right to walk through there but if you get robbed dont be surprised. That doesn't absolve the criminal from robbing you and it isn't your fault he did but if yo hadn't chosen to be in a dangerous place dangerous things wouldn't have happened.
ihate, you miss the point to our fustration. It's the conservative judges interjecting a Republican Platform. It make them activist judges. No different than corporations are people.
What a joke for a judge....You are not a minister with the right to pontificate...Your responsible for applying the law fairly and equally regardless of circumstances; if you won't resign, at least you should search legal precedent to clearly understand what your role in the justice system is and should be.
Just another inconsiderate idiot giving the republicans a bad reputation.
Isn't it this kind of thinking that causes the Taliban to require women to cover themselves head to toe and to be accompanied by a male relative when they go out of the house?
Welcome to the American-taliban. They have already infiltrated our House of Representatives, many of our state offices, and obviously, our judges' benches.
Oh, and they're running one or two for the highest office in the land as well.
Republicans will continue to attack Women's Rights, Civil Rights and Voting Rights.
I believe the correct term would be "voted" into our House of Representatives. Taliban is a bit harsh don't you agree, I don't think who you are insinuating is all that bad are they?
I do not think you are being honest here, really. Do you really from the bottom of your heart believe this? Please do yourself a favor, don't always believe what you hear, and do a little research. You may find out you have lived a lie.
Research "vaginal probe bills," Einstein.
I am very much a Pub and like much more of AZ than not, but Judge you are a dumbass. Go celebrate your magnanimous decision and go to a bar. Feel it baby!
You have respect for women.
In support of the victim please sign!
I support the victim.
Women are the only demographic that can get press time for a negative comment from a judge.
So, does a groping fall into the FBI's sexual assault category which is then interpreted as rape?
Do you understand how to read acts, laws, codes and regulations? I'm not seeing that ability.
Not surprised it's Arizona. Not surprised the judge was a Brewer appointee. Not surprised that a lot of men on this post think it's the victim's fault.
Friggin' nuts! Isn't it?
Judge Hatch like many others belong to the older generation. Their concept of women's rights are out of date. If women get raped, they ask for it. If a man commits adultery, it proves his sexual prowess. If a woman has an affair, she is ridiculed and shamed. Women often are the hardest on her own sex. Judge Hatch proved her concept of women's rights is incompatible with today's society. She should not be on the bench.
I think all you people are dumbasses... Even bigger asses than the judge.. Judges interject their opinions all the time... Mostly at the defendants, but once in awhile to the victims also, when the victims were in the wrong also... This victim as underage and should not have been in that bar in the first place.. Her comments were meant as advice to a minor that used a fake ID to go to a bar and get drunk. If she had been in that place, this would not have happened to her. Bad things happen at bars.. Good advice that I hope sinks into her brain , the next time she as a minor thinks about using a fake ID to go and drink...
You are one with one opinion. You call out many. Doesn't say much other than your opinion. For what ever it's worth.
Sunset cliffs...This is not an opinion.. its fact and there are a lot more fact in this case that apparently your not aware of... You might read up on... His groping her was one asscheek squeeze while she was flirting with him and hanging on him..
Thank You Mike I am sure will be attacked here, unfortunate as it is. Where might we find the actual facts that it appears you were able to find?
Well I couldn't find any more facts in the case but I did find this article.
Seems all is well in Arizona. It was more of a mistake and it was apologized for, and it was received from the victim. I love it when it ends this way.
bits and pieces that was in the news here in Phoenix and from a friend that lives in Flagstaff where this occurred...Not sure how much you can find out by googling... Since she is a minor and a sexual assault victim.I posted what I have heard on page 20 or 21.. There were two others on here that posted basically the same info I did.. between pages 10 and 20
Thank you Mike, I tried to post a link (still new to all of this) but they at least met and the judge apologized and the victim accepted. Happy ending.
Yes I hope so... She did not mean it to appear as a reprimand, just advice to teenager...
This is why I try to calm people down that get a wound up over a half written one-sided story. Reading this article is nothing like what you are saying, there are so many details left out. Geez, well I hope everybody has taken their blood pressure medicine and went to bed. Thanks again
She should have immediately stabbed or shot him in self defense. Just cuz hes a cop he thinks (and the judge confirmed it) that he can do whatever he wants without punishment. Police assault and abuse is one of the BIGGEST problems in America today and we need to defend ourselves against the police, unfortunately.
Mike, that's wrong.
I can show you dozens of times where police have killed citizens, ON CAMERA, when there was no reason.
Video after video or them shooting people who are
-already handcuffed
-unarmed
-unrelated to what they are doing (innocent bystanders)
-not doing anything wrong other than disobeying
-can even show you video of police shooting and killing an unarmed man IN A WHEELCHAIR
So where am I wrong ?
They are the most dangerous gang in America
Are you voicing your frustration? You might mean that.
The obvious solution is for all women to wear a burqa and not to go out in public without being accompanied by their husband or a male relative.
Blaming the victim, who happens to be a woman: Brought to you by another Arizona closed-minded repugnican teabagger, who should've never been appointed to the bench.
Wasn't it just a few days ago that the charges were dropped against "Sheriff Joe?" Arizona's 2 for 2 this past week.
Must be something in the water down there. Now I'm positive we should just give Arizona back to Mexico and relocate the compassionate folks down there who believe in civil and victims rights to the so-called "blue-states."
"Sheriff Joe," this "judge" and Jan Brewer would look rather nice in Mexican prison uniforms.
If the judge had given the guy some jail time, it would have made her comments easier to accept. The judge was not wrong in saying what she said. Why would anyone press charges for a but grab anyway? Seriously. I have never in my life grabbed anyone's butt, honestly the thought has never ever once entered my mind, in large part because it would be as exciting to me as grabbing the person's arm. Yet I have had my butt pinched by two guys passing in a crowded street fest, unexpectedly, while with my two young boys, and I'm a straight male 6'-3"! My boys saw it and were surprised that their dad was considered hot. I was somewhat pleased myself.
She a public servant. Not royality. Be professional. Deal in law and law only. Leave your opinions to yourself until you are "off the clock".
I don't care if she walked into that bar stark naked. Nobody has a right to put their hands on her without her consent. The judge should not have been reprimanding the victim in this crime, she should have been giving her lecture to the assailant.
at least the cop was fired. that is always good news. F ing cops think they can get away with anything,
and by golly they pretty much do.
It is disgusting that bad cops give the hard-working legitimate officers a bad name! They should be made to walk around with a sign that says I Was a Bad Cop, I'm . Failure.