Roman Polanski's Victim Says "Drop the Charges"

First I would like to say that I am in no way excusing what Roman Polanski did in March, 1977. He forced himself sexually on a then 13-year-old girl. I will assume most everyone will agree that this is wrong and intolerable at any level. 32 years later, Roman Polanski has been arrested for this crime. The now 45-year-old mother of three, Samantha Geimer, has repeated her request that the charges be dropped. At this point she has “moved on” and “forgiven him.” She is also displeased with how the case was handled 32 years ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6237442/Roman-Polanskis-victim-is-mother-who-wants-charges-dropped.html


Here is the Inviting Conversations question: How much leverage should a victim’s opinion have in cases such as this?

There are many situations in which an assault occurs, and the victim chooses not to pursue charges, or a petty theft occurs and the victim decides to give the accused another “chance.” In the Polanski case, we are not talking about pushing someone down in a park or stealing $50 from the local grocery store. Obviously these are crimes as well. But rape, like murder, kidnapping, torture, are significantly more egregious. Should the victim’s willingness to forgive the assailant have any bearing on the case? Or is a crime a crime?

I await your opinions.

Wade