Rise in false rape charges in Scotland

[Izzy]

An interesting article. Find myself pondering over the remarks from Rape Crisis Scotland in that some of the cases the women asked to withdraw their complaint but were told the only way to do that was by saying they had made it up. Having done that, the women were charged with wasting police time. I wonder what the answer really is as this alone would keep someone sticking to a lie.

Dislike the remarks about it been absolutely devastating for these women and “they feel betrayed and violated by the system."
No word of the people falsely accused and who are in a way sexually assaulted themselves by the medical exam given once arrested.

http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-...land-1-2602662

[lawlessone2009]

Ha ha ha ha....

My mum posted me up some 'articles' that she found in the papers...

This posting reminded me to dig em out...

The article linked too is one of the ones she posted to me!!!!!!!!



Very alarming that it's actually finding its way into newspaper articles now. Politicians, damned if they do and damned if they don't...

[Faith]

An interesting article. Find myself pondering over the remarks from Rape Crisis Scotland in that some of the cases the women asked to withdraw their complaint but were told the only way to do that was by saying they had made it up. Having done that, the women were charged with wasting police time. I wonder what the answer really is as this alone would keep someone sticking to a lie.

And very often it does. Once a false accuser makes a claim, it becomes incredibly difficult to back out...the moment they are told 'well we will have to prosecute you instead' then they are bound to stick to their story...

[tiftaf]

An interesting article. Find myself pondering over the remarks from Rape Crisis Scotland in that some of the cases the women asked to withdraw their complaint but were told the only way to do that was by saying they had made it up. Having done that, the women were charged with wasting police time. I wonder what the answer really is as this alone would keep someone sticking to a lie.

Dislike the remarks about it been absolutely devastating for these women and “they feel betrayed and violated by the system."
No word of the people falsely accused and who are in a way sexually assaulted themselves by the medical exam given once arrested.

http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-...land-1-2602662

I sent an email to Rape Crisis to ask them what their views were on women who falsely accuse men of rape. I suggested that news reports regarding false allegations were on the increase and with the compensation issue thrown into the mix I feared that there would become an epidemic in terms of women lying that they have been raped for various reasons. My email was pretty heart felt as well, explaining my situation which you may all remember eventhough i haven't posted for a while. I hasten to add, that in my email I said that I felt that a rise in false allegations would undermine the cases of genuine rape victims. I amde the mistake of telling them that I was a journalist. Note their reply was sent from their media department. Interesting!

This was their reply:

Thanks for taking the time to e-mail us.

As the overwhelming majority (c. 90%) of women and girls who use the
services of our member Rape Crisis Centres across England and Wales never
report to the police, we might not be the organisation best placed to help
you with your enquiries. A statutory service provider, such as a Sexual
Assault Referral Centre (SARC), might be worth approaching as the majority
of the people they work with will have reported to the police.

We would say though that it is not our experience or understanding that
false reporting of rape is anywhere near 'epidemic' proportions. False
reporting rates for rape are in fact believed to be no different from
false reporting rates for any other crime, that is around 6%(according to
Home Office Figures and the Stern Report
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publica...ew?view=Binary).

As an organisation dedicated to women and girls whose lives have been
affected by sexual violence, Rape Crisis is committed to protecting rape
complainants' existing legal right to lifelong anonymity. Defendants in
rape cases are not a main focus of our work. Nonetheless, we would be
concerned if those accused of rape were granted anonymity when defendants
in other cases, such as murder or grievous bodily harm, were not.

We hope this response is of some help.

Warm regards,
Katie Russell
On behalf of Rape Crisis (England and Wales)

[Izzy]

Nice to see you Tiftaf. I honestly don't know what the answer is

[tiftaf]

Nice to see you Tiftaf. I honestly don't know what the answer is

If you think I am going through hell for nearly twelve months I wont. I will get justice. Today I logged in for the first time ever for ten months, felt bit strong, well no I felt mighty strong but then I read that horrific post that so angry's son killed himself??? Are you all having a laugh saying aww sorry. NO stand up and do something. I have cried all night and something has to be done. Sign the petition for anonymity.

So angry, I will pray love..xxx

[Izzy]

I've gone through this for nearly a year and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I won't go into details but the things that have happened you would have said were far fetched if you had put in a film, so no I'm not having a laugh - haven't done that in a long time and I won't say sorry for having come through this and having a son who is just starting out in his life managing to survive it too.
I am standing up though - I log on every day no matter how lousy I feel to see if I can bring any comfort to anyone who is going through the same thing.

[Casehardened]

Hello Tiftaf,

I understand your anger as most of us have experienced anger as one of the range of emotions felt throughout our various ordeals but it is pointless directing it at forum members rather than the system. Izzy is a considerate and compassionate person and has given a lot of helpful and knowledgeable advice to members so doesn't deserve your stinging barb.

Are you all having a laugh saying aww sorry. NO stand up and do something. I have cried all night and something has to be done. Sign the petition for anonymity.

So angry, I will pray love..xxx

Incidentally were you able to make any progress with the newspaper article you were planning?

Anyhow, I am a freelance writer and I am determined not to allow this business of false rape allegation to be kept silent any longer so I am writing an article for The Daily Mail. Firstly, would it be ok for me to put this forum and the good work it does in the article? Why was the forum started etc I would also like a couple of members if possible to share their story with me.

[RFLH]

don't you think we haven't all felt how you feel Tiftaf?

Don't you think most of us have almost crossed the line at some point or other?

So you weren't here for 10 months to help others? We were.

We've signed numerous petitions, some go on silent vigils - what have you done to raise awareness apart from come here and shout?

[Faith]

Well Said RFLH.

Taking 'action' isn't about who shouts the loudest. Many of us ARE taking action, DO sign petitions, DO help people in this mess, make phone calls, assist in legal work, refer members to solicitors, are there for a listening ear, search the web for relevant news stories...the reason that you might not be aware of that is that we aren't sitting making a threads about how much we are doing...we are just doing it.

Please refer again to the PM you received.

We completely understand you are feeling angry and upset...but it's as Casehardened says, I think the few people who actually ARE doing something, are the wrong people to attack.
To suggest any of us 'had a laugh' at the awful news from So Angry is very insensitive.

[Rights Fighter]

It never fails to amaze me how often some people believe that nothing is being done to help the plight of the falsely accused and their families. They rant 'why is nothing being done? Why are there no support groups?' without bothering to check to see if their claims are factually accurate.

Petitions relating to anonymity; substitution of financial compensation with top notch therapy; more evidence required than just words - all this has been going on for years and years. Nothing changes apart from the fact that every petition that goes in, or letter that is written, reminds the powers that be we are here. But that is all they do.

Why do some people make the assumptions that they do without actually taking the trouble to check?

All we can do is to be here for the next person who needs help.

[Izzy]

I just wanted to say sorry for my last post, I regret posting in a bit of a temper.
So Angry's dreadful news was absolutely heart breaking, words fail me really but it scares me at the same time, if that makes sense.
Hence my over emotional reply.

[RFLH]

don't apologise Izzy - your post was fine.

[Rights Fighter]

I just wanted to say sorry for my last post, I regret posting in a bit of a temper.
So Angry's dreadful news was absolutely heart breaking, words fail me really but it scares me at the same time, if that makes sense.
Hence my over emotional reply.

Izzy, I don't see any of it as over emotional or in any way inappropriate. I was more concerned about tiftaf's post, as were others.

[Izzy]

Thanks folks

It was when I read my post back, I felt I came across self-pitying - what we've gone through is nothing to what So Angry has had to face and that was my regret in my posting.