Can someone tell me where the idea came from that The Joker raped Barbra Gordon in The Killing Joke?

It seems like every news site that talks about The Killing Joke just brings up that he raped her. I don't think they have even read the story. I mean even some fans are adamant that he did. I swear this has only circulated in the past 10years, and its now somehow become a truth. Even Rafael Albuquerque asked DC Comics to pull his cover as he recieved backlash from feminist groups. He even apologised.

I wrote this in previous article when the trailer for the film came out:

"I'm also sick of reading on other news sites that this is the story where Joker raped Barbra Gordon. It isn't even implied, not even a tiny bit. Someone somewhere came up with it, then loads of people jumped on the band wagon. Just because Joker undresses her doesn't mean he rapes her. He's stripping her down to nothing, showing her bare as she is at her weakest. Almost degrading her. Just being stripped down can be enough of a violation of someone. Imagine being shot, lying there helpless, undressed and then having pictures taken of you. It doesn't take a rape to then make you feel violated."

He sexually abused and assaulted her.

You'd really think Joker wouldn't rape someone to mess with their Mind?

@agent9149:Thats still not rape

@royal_warrior: I'm not asking what he would do. I'm saying he didn't as its not even implied.

My original question is where the idea came from, as its only in the past 10years that i've seen it said that he did.

@neale7: Just thought I'd say I agree with you before the opposition start bombarding the thread. Too late. :p

@dernman: Haha, Cheers man :-)

Joker's not someone who should be sexualized, really.