Arizona Judge Apologizes For Comments To Victim Of Sex Assault

The city of Flagstaff, Arizona has been up in arms since the comments made by Judge Jacqueline Hatch to a victim of sex assault on Wednesday. Last summer, Arizona police officer Robb Gary Evans walked into the Green Room bar, avoided the cover charge with a flash of his badge, and ran a hand up a woman’s skirt. After a lenient sentence, Judge Hatch delivered some harsh words. Her words, however, were not aimed at the offender but at the victim.

Think Progress reports, “Bad things can happen in bars, Hatch told the victim, adding that other people might be more intoxicated than she was.” The San Francisco Chronicle comments that the victim demanded an apology from the judge for her harsh comments, citing that “despite the judge’s explanation that the victim wasn’t to blame in the case, the woman felt that Hatch accused her of allowing herself to become a victim.”

The Judge’s public apology came on Friday, according to DemocraticUnderground.Com:

“I apologize to the victim for any additional anguish my comments may have caused. It was never my intention to make a situation worse for any victim. I have learned an important lesson and will apply what I have learned to future cases, to ensure that the rights and views of all victims are heard and respected.”

The apology came after the judge’s comment that “all women must be vigilant against becoming victims,” recorded the San Francisco Chronicle. The judge stated that even going to the grocery store after 10 pm can be dangerous. The Chronicle cites an editorial by the Daily Sun, which stated that “while Hatch likely meant well by telling the victim to avoid unnecessary risks, the victim should not have been subjected to a public lecture for standing up for herself for being violated.” Particularly with such a lenient sentence was placed on the offender.