In 1982, Lew-Starowicz claimed that he was convinced that around 30% of rapes are provoked.[4] In 1992, he posited that"Research reveals that many women behave recklessly, I would say stupidly, others flirt and provoke erotically without the motivation to initiate sexual contact, and still others provoke men to aggressive behaviour by playing on their male ambition, etc.",[5] and was quoted as saying that among the victims of rape were "accidental women (and here the defensive attitude revealed towards the aggressors is important), a group unconsciously provoking (easy establishing of acquaintances, showing off alleged sexual experience, and later surprise at the development of the situation), a group of consciously provoking women, who most often provoke and then try to withdraw at the last moment, which can be ineffective".[6] This claim and similar claims blaming women for being raped were later widely criticised.[7]
Lew-Starowicz practiced conversion therapy. In 2015, he apologized to the gay community for his involvement in administering electroshock therapy as a method of "curing" homosexuality.[8] He was also criticised for his views on transgender issues.[9]
In 2009, Lew-Starowicz defended film director Roman Polański, arguing that he was not a pedophile, and claimed that the victim's mother was involved in the crime. This was in reference to the 1977 case where Polański pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Polański had drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl. During the proceedings, Polański's lawyer also attempted to shift blame onto the victim's mother.[10]
