‘Rescue Me’ distorts what rape really is

RE “ ‘Rescue Me’ Writer Fans the Inflamed,” by Scott Collins, June 26: “Rescue Me” co-creator Peter Tolan tries to justify the controversial scene by writing that the characters Tommy and Janet have a dysfunctional relationship with a glimmer of sexual attraction. Mr. Tolan, rape has nothing to do with sexual attraction. Rape is about anger and power. Tommy considers Janet his property and is using physical force to humiliate her and assert his dominance.

If your mother, grandmother, aunt, wife, sister, niece or daughter were beaten and raped by someone they previously loved, do you think they would treat it casually? Would you?

Rape is an appropriate topic for a TV drama to explore. Just make sure you portray it and its effects accurately.

VIRGINIA FOREST

Sierra Madre