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Suzie Miller, author of 'Prima Facie'. Sarah Hadley
"Any party involved in the sexual act can change their mind and say: 'I don't want to continue'"

"Any party involved in the sexual act can change their mind and say: 'I don't want to continue'"

Australian author Suzie Miller releases the novel 'Prima Facie', focusing on the issue of consent in a sexual assault committed without violence.

Antonio Paniagua

Madrid

Martes, 4 de febrero 2025, 14:15

The issue of consent in sexual relations is at the heart of the novel 'Prima Facie' by Australian author Suzie Miller. An ambitious lawyer, whose clients include sexual offenders, faces her own legal strategies when she herself is raped. In her case, she neither screamed nor defended herself. There was not even any violence. In this situation, how can one persuade a court that there was no consent? The issue is highly topical: a quick glance at today's newspapers reveals similar stories. Actress Victoria Luengo performed a monologue version of the play on stage, receiving unanimous praise from critics and audiences alike. Now, Seix Barral publishes the novel, which starkly portrays how the judicial system is ill-equipped to support victims or comprehend the complexity of a traumatic experience.

The theatrical piece marked a turning point in several countries in addressing rape trials. Suzie Miller, a defence lawyer for years, draws on her legal experience to create a novel of intense emotion that also serves as a plea against violence inflicted on women. Before becoming a playwright, Suzie Miller's work as a lawyer required her to listen to dozens of victims of sexual assault. The thesis of 'Prima Facie', which continues to baffle many men, some of whom are even police officers interrogating raped women, is that the law is made by men, and it exudes misogyny.

"Any party involved in the sexual act can change their mind and say: 'I don't want to continue'. This may frustrate and anger, but it must be accepted." For Miller, a woman has the right to change her consent and demand the act's suspension simply because it hurts, she doesn't like it, or she feels uncomfortable. "If you don't know how to read or interpret social signals, then ask," the author asserts.

Fundamentals of the system

'Prima Facie' questions the foundations of the judicial system. As a former criminal lawyer, Suzie Miller was sceptical and even challenged the foundations of the criminal treatment of violence against women, but now she is noticing that certain things are changing. "In the UK, all judges are required to read the book or watch a recording of the play. When I wrote the story, I never would have imagined it. I find it incredible and fascinating."

Miller has created a lawyer, Tessa, who eagerly accepts defending sexual offenders who seek her services until she herself realises and suffers firsthand the imbalances of the scales. Everything must be seen with historical perspective, the playwright argues, as laws have only recently allowed women to enter the judiciary. Hence, the change in mentalities takes time to reflect in the rules. "Only in the last 30 years has it been decided that a husband cannot rape his wife. Previously, men were granted perpetual consent to do as they wished within marriage," she argues.

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todoalicante "Any party involved in the sexual act can change their mind and say: 'I don't want to continue'"