A judge could face a months-long suspension after repeatedly questioning a female rape victim about what she did to prevent her assault during a case in 2016.

A judicial conduct advisory committee reprimanded Superior Court Judge John Russo for the “egregious” remarks he made three years ago, in which he asked a woman: “Do you know how to stop somebody from having interpose with you?”

“Close your legs?” he continued. “Call the police? Did you do any of those things?”

The judge also repeatedly asked whether the victim attempted to “block” the assailant.

The advisory committee found the New Jersey judge displayed behaviour that was “not only discourteous and inappropriate, but also egregious given the potential for those questions to re-victimize the plaintiff”.