It's About Time...

This has me so excited. It's such a giant leap forward in UK rape legislation. What shocked me was the information that only 5% of alleged rapists are convicted. I don't know why but I thought the number would be bigger. I really shouldn't be surprised. Now we have to work on convincing the general public that drunk women aren't fair game for rapists.

I wanted to blog about this amazing little story last month but it felt too raw then so I left it alone. Tonight it seems somehow appropriate.

Some twelve years ago my friend was brutally assaulted by a stranger. She was walking her dog in a field close to her home. A man grabbed her and threatened to kill her, then subjected her to an horrific sex attack. When she staggered away and called for help I went to be with her. I wasn't allowed to hold and comfort her because her clothes were evidence and I might have contaminated them. I was allowed to stand with her as she undressed and I bagged her clothes and passed them to a policeman. I remember thinking how small and shattered she was. And how humiliating for her to be naked and vulnerable in front of strangers. It was a terrible day.

This year they caught him! Twelve years later his DNA from another case gave him up. He is now serving three to six years and it isn't nearly enough but it's something. And I almost can't believe it. But it's true.

Getting on With it All...

Thanks for the lovely comments that you all left on my last post! It's been almost a week since we lost Tiger. I keep thinking I see her on the sofa, on the bed, in the garden. I trip over her in the kitchen while I'm cooking, (she used to rub around my legs and get stepped on!) and keep little bits of nice food aside for her. Then I remember. Oh.

I think we will get another cat. After Christmas we'll start looking for a suitable candidate. There is always an abundance of them just about then, because idiot people get newer, better pets as presents.

Again, thanks for all the support... I'll let you know when we are Catful again. Wish me luck!