"I would like to hear from anyone who believes that rape can ever be justified. And if there is not any justification - Why even enquire into what the woman was wearing, where she was and whether she was drunk? "

RAPE can NEVER be justified, EVER

There should be no enquiry into what the woman was wearing nor if she had had a drink

The main factor has to be about consent, implied or otherwise, and withdrawal or resitance to that consent BEFORE the act. If she/he has said no then at that point anything going further has to be attempted rape or rape itself. I think that is the easy part.

Where the difficulties arise is when whole smokecreens and mists are rected by defences to try and discredit an already traumatised victim. Acquaintance rapes will also always have grey areas when one persons word against another is all you have. Where there is proof of some kind then it becomes more clear and easier to prosecute.

That the victim can be raped again by the defence, under the pretext that they have to do the best for their client, where there is strong proof their client is guilty, is quite dispicable.

But, in answer to your question: NO... rape can never be justified.

mp