Tricky Questions

In progress:

A list of swift replies to tricky "gotcha" questions posed by interviewers. The emphasis is on interview-compatible responses.

Can you give me an example of the effects of criminal proceedings on adults being whitewashed?

Ideas: Adverse consequences for adult, moral scheme deprioritizes experiences of false accused (give example).

This girl says she was dead inside, her trust was abused and her soul was destroyed. And this is what you are defending? I’m no ear doctor, but you’re dangerously deaf. Let's try to reiterate then: I’m appalled by the abuse – likely more than you, since my heart’s got more on the line. What I’m after isn’t tears – it’s joy. Love, not casualties. I’m sorry she endured anything less.

A child of 12 is too young to understand what is happening to them. I trust you have a source firmer than your imagination, because the last time I checked, authorities admit kids twelve – and younger – are devoted sex ed attendees. In fact, they are so devoted that we are finally considering banning these patriarchal classes that cannot manage checking if their audience has crossed the ever-so-arbitrary line of “maturity.”

Once the age of consent is reduced to 12, how low will you go? As low as consent. However defined for every individual. And if your idea of sex with a random-year-old is limited to just ‘penis-in-a-hole,’ I’m afraid you’re already a lost cause – caught in the grip of a stubborn patriarchal infection.

You claim to be giving young people a voice, but isn't this all about the desires of the perverted men who front these organizations? Sadly, except for a handful of niche feminists, it’s perverted men who are desperate to give young people a voice – and the vote. If we’re to be judged, let it come from the kids, not from fake progressives. Remember Fridays for Future? Nothing screams "progress" like ignoring the very voices one claims to champion.

Just last week, feds uncovered the largest porn ring in history, involving some of the worst type of abuse images. And this is what you want to make legal? Thank God I don't want to make it moral. Nor do I want to make legal all the production. Simple possession – yes. However disgusting. Actually, you want to flood us with porn. I bet even victims dream we masturbate ourselves out of existence.

As an abuse survivor, I know just how horrific these experiences are, and how the minor is manipulated. As an apologist, you will never know I may never feel that, but don’t mistake my skepticism for ignorance – the media has served up enough cautionary tales about adults manipulating kids. I’m open to a real conversation; you, unfortunately, seem closed for debate. If we can’t start there, how can we hope to build a better world?

Come sit in my court and see the parade of girls whose lives are ruined by people to whom you are providing comfort. You can sit with me for a week on your promise to make a public apology for every case. (Credit: Simon Myerson QC [UK state-appointed advocate/trial lawyer])

[a]No need to sprinkle cheap sentiment over stories that are tragic enough on their own. The media’s already doing the heavy lifting, so I don’t need your courtroom. But do try to keep up – if you rely on random divorce therapists for insight, you might accidentally conclude marriage should be banned altogether, might you not?

[b]You know nothing about prevalences of self-perceived abuse or negative adjustment outcomes in the general population. You work from and come to your conclusions from a criminally-biased sample, and are quite frankly not knowledgeable enough to opine on this subject without further research. [At this point the most recent broad study should be cited].