Ten things we should never forget about rape

The case of Alexis Georgoulis, a member of the European Parliament for SYRIZA who resigned after an investigation into alleged sexual abuse, brought back familiar stereotypes about rape, which many of us hoped had been put to rest by now. But since repetition is the only way to deconstruct these cliches and disconnected inferences, let's clarify some points again:

Rapists are not necessarily unattractive people. The exercise of violence and power are independent of appearance. The assumption that only ugly men resort to sexual abuse isn't just unfounded, it's bigoted.

The timing chosen to report an incident of sexual violence is solely the victim's choice. It cannot be subject to the judgment of any third party. The constant questioning, "Why now? So many years later, a few weeks before the election?" - which in this particular case is not even true, since the...