HOLLYWOOD star Helen Mirren has angered anti-rape campaigners by suggesting that women who are date-raped should not expect to take those who have violated them to court.

In an interview with the former tabloid editor Piers Morgan, the
Oscar-winning actress revealed how she often used cocaine throughout her
twenties and had herself been dateraped in her late teens and twenties.

The 63-year-old British actress said that she had not reported the incidents
to police, but caused controversy by suggesting that those who daterape
should not necessarily be considered rapists in a criminal sense.

Referring to boxing legend Mike Tyson, who was convicted of raping a Miss
Black America contestant in a hotel room in 1992, Mirren said: ‘’it’s such a
tricky area isn’t it? Especially if there is no violence. I mean, look at
Mike Tyson. I don’t think he was a rapist.’’

The star of ‘The Queen’ said she believed that if a woman voluntarily ended
up in a man’s bedroom and engaged in sexual activity, she still had the
right to say no and that if a man ignored that request it should be
considered rape.

But she added: ‘’I don’t think she can have that man into court under those
circumstances.

I guess it is one of the subtle parts of the men/women relationship that has
to be negotiated and worked out between them.’’

Her comments, which will be published October’s ‘GQ’ magazine, drew an angry
response from anti-rape campaigners.

Jasvinder Sanghera, who runs a charity in Derby helping victims of rape and
domestic violence, said yesterday: “Dame Helen’s comments help reinforce the
whole ‘she is asking for iti mentality.’ For years wev’e been trying to move
away from the perception that consent is dependent on what a woman wears or
how she behaves. If a person says no it means no.’’

She added: ‘’I’m disappointed by the suggestion that date rape victims
should not bother with the courts.’’

Mirren, asked if she had been date-raped , replied: “I was, yes. A couple of
times. Not with excessive violence, or being hit, but rather being locked in
a room and made to have sex against my will.’’

The actress, who became a household name through the ‘Prime Suspect’ crime
series and recently won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth, also
admitted to using cocaine during the 1980s but said she decided to stop when
the former Nazi War criminal Klaus Barbie was found to be making money from
the class A drug.

Asked whether she had taken drugs she said: ‘’A bit of cocaine. I loved
coke. I never did a lot, just a little bit at parties.’’(© Independent News
service)