Yeah, as I said, I don't hold Ringo responsible for actions committed at age eight under the influence of other (likely older) children. But to say it is not sexual assault because of Ringo's lack of understanding of his actions erases the experiences of the girls who were hurt. Was being touched sexually, apparently against their will, not assault just because the kid assaulting them didn't understand what he was doing?
Ringo's description is pretty sparse, but it sounds like the two girls who told their mothers felt that the touching was something done to them, not something they had agreed to. I can't believe the sister was happy to be touched by all her brother's friends. Ringo was not guilty of a crime, but it sounds like the girls had the very real experience of being sexually touched against their will. So I feel like to say it is NOT sexual assault prioritizes the perspective of the male child and ignores the perspectives of the female children who have been victimized regardless of what the boy understood.
(Obviously, I can't say 100% certainty that the girls didn't consent because although it sounds like they didn't, Ringo doesn't spell it out. The fact that adult Ringo doesn't even seem to give a thought to the girl's consent appalls me much more than his actions at age eight.).
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2017-10-21 09:08 pm (UTC)Ringo's description is pretty sparse, but it sounds like the two girls who told their mothers felt that the touching was something done to them, not something they had agreed to. I can't believe the sister was happy to be touched by all her brother's friends. Ringo was not guilty of a crime, but it sounds like the girls had the very real experience of being sexually touched against their will. So I feel like to say it is NOT sexual assault prioritizes the perspective of the male child and ignores the perspectives of the female children who have been victimized regardless of what the boy understood.
(Obviously, I can't say 100% certainty that the girls didn't consent because although it sounds like they didn't, Ringo doesn't spell it out. The fact that adult Ringo doesn't even seem to give a thought to the girl's consent appalls me much more than his actions at age eight.).