What first jumped out at me in the recent posts in this thread: The implication that there is something particularly abhorrent about the rape of someone particularly old or particularly young. That view suggest rape is a sexual act rather than a violent one. I like to think Bluesman never intended to suggest that rape victims in moderate age group are suffering any less than rape victimes of more or less advanced age.

Rape is simply the most intimate assault possible, and it is about utter violence and breach of trust.

The other thing that startled me from among the recent posts was the idea that nowhere but among Travellers would there be such exposure to abject immorality as was done by having children hear the details of rape recounted. Having spent more than a few hours taking calls at a Distress Centre, please, let me assure you: The "nicest-seeming" people are capable of that and much, much more abusive behaviour toward the children and toward everyone else in their families.