A judge who reportedly asked a rape victim whether she had “closed her legs” during the assault is facing a mounting campaign for her removal.
Activists are calling for an investigation into Judge María del Carmen Molina Mansilla’s alleged comments, while a petition has been started demanding a public condemnation by the Spanish Prime Minister.
The judge “showed obvious disbelief” as she listened to the woman’s complaint of repeated sexual and physical abuse at a court in Basque Country, the Clara Campoamor Association claimed.
“A clear example of this attitude is the judge’s repeated questions to the victim on whether she made any attempt to resist aggression including asking her 'did she close her legs firmly?' and 'did she close all of her female organs?',” a spokesperson said, according to a translation by The Local.
Judge Mansilla was considering the woman’s request for a restraining order against her accused attacker at the time.
The Clara Campoamor Association, named after a famous Spanish women’s rights activist, is calling for her suspension and an investigation into her handling of sexual violence cases.
Reports on the case provoked a strong response on Twitter, with commenters saying they were “disgusted” and condemning the alleged comments as “outrageous”.
“Judge Maria del Carmen Molina Mansilla should not be a judge,” one person wrote.
“This is what victim blaming looks like,” another added. “The judge should be fired for sure.”
Meanwhile, a petition has also been launched asking Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister of Spain, to “publicly denounce the judge’s comments and take a stance for victim’s rights”.
Officials at the Juzgado de Violencia sobre la Mujer Vittoria (Court of Violence against Women) told The Independent that the judge will not be commenting on the matter.
