Dame Helen Mirren's rape ordeals
2 Sep 2008
DAME HELEN MIRREN was the victim of sex crimes in her youth - because she didn't have the courage to stand up to men who wanted sex with her.
The veteran British actress has admitted she was date-raped on several occasions, but never reported the incidents to the police because the men involved weren't violent.
In a candid interview with Britain's GQ magazine the actress says, "It's such a tricky area (rape), isn't it? Especially if there is no violence. I mean, look at Mike Tyson. I don't think he was a rapist.
"I was (date-raped), 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."
And the star believes that, although women have every right to say no to men in the bedroom, they shouldn't press charges against someone they were planning on being sexually active with.
She adds, "I don't think she can have that man into court under those circumstances."
