Lees, Sue (1941–2003)

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Lees, Sue (1941–2003)

English academic, writer, feminist and activist. Born June 16, 1941, in India; died of ovarian cancer, Sept 17, 2002; attended Edinburgh University, London School of Economics, and Birkbeck College; m. 3rd husband John Lea (criminologist); children: (2nd m.) son and daughter.

Was a professor of Women's Studies at Polytechnic of North London (1976–93), then director of its center for research in ethnicity and gender (1993–97); while conducting research into murder trials at the Old Bailey (1980s), was horrified at the treatment of the victim in a rape trial, especially when the rapist walked free; became a leading expert on the conduct of rape trials, a fervent campaigner for legal reform, and a writer and broadcaster; successfully influenced a change in the law; writings include Losing Out (1986), Sugar and Spice: Sexuality and Adolescent Girls (1993), Carnal Knowledge: Rape on Trial (1996) and Ruling Passions: Policing Sexual Assault (1997).

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