Hello seether and Robert

I know of one person who committed suicide due to the stresses that impacted their family and working life after a false "sexual harrassment" accusation. I know that the acuser has suffered considerable mental torment also, two lives lost. I am sure there a number of suicides annually that relate to either of these unfortunate occurrences. So yes the impact of false accusation can be as severe as being an actual rape victim.
There are anomalies that undermine every single individual view that has been presented in this debate, the truth is the issues you discuss will not uncover an answer and is therefore a mere exercise of hot air blowing and chest beating.
The flawed sociological climate created by humanity is the root of all these problems, but we aren't going to solve that one overnight.

I wonder, if a study was conducted on whether, mass publicity of rape impacts on the actual instance of that same crime, what the results would be? I suspect in our baaaa society the impact would be detrimental to the cause. Unfortunately the media are our shepherds and this is very dangerous to humanity. I suggest we all treat them with contempt and take nothing they provide too seriously.

Belly
Distorted and unresearched publicity of these crimes, especially before a trial has even occurred, presented to the general public for consumption, cannot possibly have a positive impact for anyone concerned. Furthermore, it is a downright frightening concept, but alas, it is the world in which we live.

Hey, Robert? I have already said my piece on the subject at issue and made it clear what I think of a media which considers that rape - of anyone - is not important.

But re Ronnie's comment: you and I are usually at odds but I admire and am appreciative of the fact that you always strive for objectivity. I read Ronnie's comment in the same light as you did the first time and was therefore surprised that you were bracketed with Aquarius.

However, on a second scan I wondered if perhaps this was not a punctuation problem? That what she intended was more: "Ok Aquarius - Robert and others have tried to point out to you....etc. etc."? In this reading she is including rather than excluding you in the rational and objective camp. Until she posts again and clarifies perhaps you could consider that? I - and I am sure others - read your posts thoughtfully and respect your opinions whether or not we share the same viewpoint.

There are times I'm sure we all get fed up with trying to be reasonable and just want to join the ranks of those who descend into personal invective and childishly irrational b/s. But hang in there yet a while, mate; it might just be a misunderstanding.

• Citing a recent USA Today article, discussing the miracle of DNA and
FBI studies of sexual assault suspects, DNA testing exonerated about 30 percent to 35 percent of the more than 4,000 sexual assault suspects on whom the FBI had conducted DNA testing over the past three years.

• In the FBI’s Behavioural Science Unit’s study of False Allegations
conducted in 1983 of 556 rape investigations, a total of 220 (40%) of
these reported rapes turned out to be false. Over one fourth of these
556 turned out to be hoaxes.

• Linda Fairstein, who directs the prosecution of sexual assault in
New York, says that there are approximately 4,000 reports of rape each
year in Manhattan. Of these, about half simply did not happen. Says
Fairstein, “It’s my job to bring justice to the man who has been falsely accused by a woman who has a grudge against him, just as it’s my job to prosecute the real thing.”

• In New Zealand, police officials have stated that 64 percent of rape
reports are false and that some women are making a business out of being raped, collecting sometimes up to $10,000 compensation per case.

• The FBI stated that in 1990 over 8,500 of the rapes reported proved to be false. False reports of child abuse were twice that figure.

I see woman and men, husbands and wife's, and children devastated by both actual and false accusations of rape/sexual assault. I see the personal devastation in mental health, physical health, and spiritual health of men, women, and children under these circumstances. I know the truth through working that environment each and every day. Young children. Young adults. Crack whores. Mothers. Husbands. Sons. Daughters. I know from experience both men and women commit rape. I don't choose one over the other. I don't devalue one sex or the other. In my world both men and women deserve care. Especially the children.
False accusations are time wasting and a drain on my resources to assist those men and women in need. It's criminal.

Why would people be surprised at the high levels of moral hazard detectable, while provisioning such significant resources in support of one gender against the other?

Romany, I hope your right but find it unlikely. BTW as far I'm aware Ronnie is male - some other posters seem to find it amusing to call Ronnie a girl but I think they are just trying to upset him because of a suspected patronising attitude towards women.

I'm still trying to work out where Ronnie is coming from on some of this stuff, on most issues I've very much enjoyed his posts but we lock horns quite strongly on gender violence issues. From some of Ronnie's earlier comments I think that view is (or was) mutual.

Thanks for your comments, I find discussion with those who see issues differently to myself to be very beneficial if both sides are willing to listen and learn as well as share their own perspectives.

One of the great joys of OLO at times is the people I get to have discussions with (and one of the frustrations).

R0bert

I am aware of at least one case where, at trial, the 'victim's' story didn't ring true in the Crown examination: so the prosecutor herself 'went after' the truth from the complainant. The result was an acquittal.

I also know of a case where the complainant went to the police only after her boyfriend (not the accused) heard about the sexual contact some months after it occurred when the boyfriend returned from overseas (where is was during the sexual activity). Result was an acquittal, but it still cost the accused a large amount in legal costs.

I am also aware that a huge number of assaults go unreported.

so, what do we do about these instances?The complainants in each of the above?

Perhaps hand it back to the judges to decide, after hearing the evidence, and verdict, that if, on the balance of probabilities (the 'civil standard') that if the complaint was made vexatiously to award costs to the accused, and depending on the circumstances to award those costs against either the suitors' fund, the crown or the complainant themselves.

This is similar to the 'Clarke' matter, where is the plaintiff (note - not the complainant) had lost she would have had to pay the respondent's (not the 'accused's) costs. The respondent of course was in a difficult position, as it would have been hard for him to settle without some admittance of guilt, exposing him to the possibility of criminal prosecution.

I would be in favour of both the accused and the complainant's identities in sexual assault trials being 'not for publication' until after the trial. It should be noted that, at least in NSW, an adult victim of sexual assault may be identified in the 'Remarks on Sentence' by a judge on sentencing of a prisoner.