He blamed a 14-year-old for her rape. A young woman who died by suicide before the sentence was handed down. And then after blaming the victim, he gave the rapist a 30-day sentence in jail! These actions occurred in Yellowstone County (Billings), Montana in August 2013. We and the nation were outraged at this victim-blaming, minimization of sexual assault exhibited by this member of the legal hierarchy. As a result, Montana NOW (National Organization for Women) and Pennsylvania NOW helped spearhead the call for the censure and suspension of G. Todd Baugh along with the appropriate re-sentencing of the convicted rapist.
Although we can’t be physically present to join in the rally this evening, Pennsylvania NOW is virtually standing beside the community, members of Montana NOW, and the thousands of people who signed the Montana NOW/Pennsylvania NOW’s and UltraViolet’s petitions to express our outrage that the Yellowstone Area Bar Association is HONORING a judge who was literally suspended from the bench for letting a rapist off the hook by blaming the 14-year-old-victim.
G. Todd Baugh’s victim blaming and use of rape myths have caused sexual assault victims to further question whether they should report their assault. This is rape culture at its worst.
We need to protect our sexual assault victims. By your actions this evening, you, the leaders of the Yellowstone Bar Association, are colluding in this victim blaming and are threatening the judicial process for victims of sexual assault.
As members of the legal profession, you should have reversed your decision to honor Baugh. Your decision, in our opinion, supports continued gender bias in the judiciary that stops victims from coming forward to seek justice. We are appalled at this disregard for both the victims of sexual assault and what should be an unbiased judicial system and process.
By presenting this Lifetime Achievement Award to a former officer of the court who disses and blames rape victims, you help create a view that the legal system maintains a “Climate of Indifference” towards victims of sexual assault.
SHAME ON YOU!