Interview on MSNBC
January 11th, 2011 by Pelle BillingAbout a week ago I was interviewed by MSNBC and here is the result. At the moment it’s a front page story on World News.
For weeks, the debate has dominated the airwaves and newspapers in Sweden.
But while many view the ability to discuss the ambiguous intimate issues as a positive thing, the gray area often referred to and the country’s relatively broad definition of rape alarms others.
Pelle Billing, a M.D. who lectures and writes on gender and men’s issues, worries that Sweden’s rape and domestic violence laws make it difficult for men to get a fair trial.
He cites a quote by the lawyer for Assange’s accusers, who went to the police for advice before deciding to file charges.
“Women who are assaulted don’t always define it as that,” said lawyer Claes Borgstrom, who is the Swedish Social Democratic Party’s spokesman on gender equality. “It’s a big problem in our society and it can be difficult to assess what has happened if you are not a lawyer.”
“So how is man supposed to know what the boundaries are if the women don’t know?” Billing asks. According to him, feminism in Sweden has stopped being about equal rights and has begun to infringe on men’s rights.
So Billing spends little time worrying whether the case against Assange is the result of U.S. pressure on Sweden and instead focuses on whether Swedish courts uphold the presumption of innocence for men accused of rape and domestic violence.
Billing was excoriated in public for discussing his beliefs and the Assange case on a leading current affairs program.
January 11th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Pelle:
Beautiful point: how can the man know if the woman doesn’t?
BTW, where were you “excoriated”?
January 11th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Thanks.
I was attacked on Twitter after the TV show. Low blows like attacking how I look and my name. But writing “excoriated” might be a tad exaggerated. But it’s journalism, and therefore understandable.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
well done pelle, it’s great you’re getting out there & taking it to the streets. keep up the good work.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
It’s interesting that the story doesnt mention that the Swedish legal authorities also could not make up their mind regarding Assange and the statements provided by the two women.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
We are all proud of you, Pelle. I have long neglected to add your blog to my site. Time to correct that.
Thanks for all you do.
February 1st, 2011 at 5:06 am
twas v convenient that the Assange frame-up went down in one of the few countries that have an experienced and capable mens-advocate
it’s the Good Fight, Pelle, and only the best of men — and the rarest of women — need apply
same as it ever was
glad also to hear the haters mocking your name; it will shine all the brighter when written in the stars
cheers
ray
February 1st, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Thank you for your support, Ray!