A couple of things. Rape is not about sex, but, about power/conquest. So, when someone says the person deserved, or was asking to be raped, they aren't understanding the psychology of the crime. If rape was about sex, and people 'asking' to be raped by their apparel (or lack thereof), why are completely clothed people raped?

However, I imagine we are missing a significant part of the story as it relates to the Judge's order. If the prosecutor thought introduction of the video tape was necessary for a conviction, I can't think of any other way to get it into evidence unless the victim 'authenticated' it, "yes, that is me on the tape". (The defendant can't be ordered to testify against himself..so, he won't be authenticating it).

In rape/assualt cases, it often comes down to one person's word against another's word, and since the prosecution must prevail beyond reasonable doubt (something we often say is in the 95% range), and sometimes victim's testimony can't stand on its own, I can see how the viewing of the tape could be critical, and where the Judge might be coming from.

I guess if it were me, and I wanted to be sure of a conviciton, I would view the tape.