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** This is an archived, static copy of the Casebook messages boards dating from 1998 to 2003. These threads cannot be replied to here. If you want to participate in our current forums please go to https://forum.casebook.org **
Sexual Crime?
Casebook Message Boards: Ripper Victims: General Discussion:
Sexual Crime?
Author: Alkhemia
Monday, 12 March 2001 - 11:13 pm |        | Hello!
I am new to these boards and feverishly trying to "catch up" on the conversation. I have really enjoyed the discussions thus far, and I am happy to have read some literate and passionate viewpoints. Thank you!
While thumbing through the A-Z book tonight, I began to focus upon the characterization of JtR by Robert Anderson as "a sexual maniac of a virulent type." Was there ever any evidence at the crime scenes that JtR received sexual "favors" or sexually assaulted any of the victims either pre or post-mortem?
Furthermore, is there evidence to suggest that money was exchanged for sexual favors between the victims and JtR? I'm not an expert on prostitution in 1888, however, logic dictates that most prostitutes would ask for their money up front - I recall money being found on only one of the victims. |
Author: Martin Fido
Tuesday, 13 March 2001 - 01:41 am | | Dear Alkhemia,
The evidence of one doctor that there were no secretions on the thighs of Katherine Eddowes suggests that there was neither normal intercourse nor premature ejaculation in the Ripper's association with his victims. Many psychologists, on the other hand, state that such violent assaults are themselves a form of sexual gratification (by the assertion of power which compel a sufferer's response from the victim) and some such sadistic offenders may ejaculate while carrying out their attacks.
Money may well have changed hands - from the victims to the Ripper! - since none of them were found with any money on their persons (except for the possible two farthings with Annie Chapman's body), but Mary Jane Kelly was reported as being seen with two clients before her death (the second of whom, of course, might have been the Ripper, and the first of whom might have paid for any services with the pot of beer he was seen to be carrying). And either the Ripper or some one else - (Martin Howells has suggested that it could have been a mortuary attendant) - stole two brass rings from Annie Chapman, unless she forced them off her own fingers during the night for some reason and passed them to somebody else who never came forward.
What is most interesting about Anderson's comment is his confident recognition of the existence of 'sexual maniacs of the most virulent type' since the general public, and even some medical men, appear to have been quite unaware of them. Thus many ludicrous 'motives' were proposed at the time, and even the British Medical Journal prated about the possibility of a burglar killing people who had seen him casing joints!
Martin Fido |
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