Date Rape in Sweden and Julian Assange-- Illusion or Real Charges?

Naomi Wolf gives an interesting argument on how governments can manipulate the crime of date rape in order to shape global perception of Julian Assange's character as someone of questionable social behavior. She gives the background on the case ( a follow-up of a previous article) as well as the background on Sweden's date rape laws and legal attitudes. In particular, she exposes the mostly inept or shoddy date rape conditions most women are subject to in Sweden. She writes,

The same Swedish prosecutors who are now claiming custody of Julian Assange are, indeed, so shamefully negligent in prosecuting Swedish rapists who did not happen to embarrass the United States government that a woman who has been raped in Sweden is ten times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than she is of getting any kind of legal proceeding on her behalf undertaken by Swedish prosecutors.

In the case of Assange, she argues "the State rather than the women themselves [are] bringing the charges."

Beyond the Fact of the Article

 What would happen if all documents in every government were transparent?  How would that change the dynamics of international relations? The need for billions spent on surveillance? The need for such extensive spy departments? The sudden disappearance or illness of those speaking or acting out against a government? How would such transparency change the nature of war?

Read Wolf's entire article.