Jittery's thoughts

[jittery]

Hi all,
I'm starting a new thread here to open up our collective horizons (I hope). I'm going to try first to imagine I'm a grizzled veteran in the force who's "seen it all" and is wondering how to adapt to the new procedures.
I think (plucking a figure out of the air here to set the characters mind set, not based in reality) 30% of rape reports are false. In the eighties these may have been dismissed fairly quickly. Now I have to show due diligence even if I think the claim is rubbish.
You know what I would do? I may very well put the case to one side for an appropriate amount of time. Look into it as I always have done (pluck a figure out of the air) after 4 months say and reach the descision my experience and judgement has taught me to over the years.
I know this is contraversial, but I am hoping this will lead to us all trying to moderate our (very understandably) negative thoughts given the position we are in.

I would say to everyone. Read the comments the genuine (to the best of our knowledge) rape victims post here, see how they're feeling and the problems they've got affect them. Considerably worse and more long term than ours I assure you! Now imagine you're in the judiciary system. A high percentage of cases probably are genuine. Almost everyone will plead innocent. How long do you think you'd be able to keep an open mind? I hate to have to say this, but I think I'd struggle!

[Casehardened]

I don't know if he is grizzled or not but he is a real policeman with a lot of experience under his belt.

http://www.daftmoo.org.uk/mooforum/s...spector+Gadget

(Apologies if you've already read this as I posted a version on Anonsteve's thread)

Edit to add it seems that I didn't actually get round to sticking it; but if you think it is useful I will do so.

[jittery]

hi

I don't know if he is grizzled or not but he is a real policeman with a lot of experience under his belt.

http://www.daftmoo.org.uk/mooforum/s...spector+Gadget

(Apologies if you've already read this as I posted a version on Anonsteve's thread)

Edit to add it seems that I didn't actually get round to sticking it; but if you think it is useful I will do so.

Hi CH, no probs, I have seen it, yes. I'd love to believe insp gadget is right, but I hate to have to say it, I think that 80% of rape accusations being false seems a bit high to me (just my opinion), I've seen a figure of 40 % of rape claims being false a couple of times, that seems more realistic to me. I know crying rape is a great way for a spiteful, twisted cow to stop her ex seeing the kids; and even if she's rumbled there's no comebacks. I know it woiuld be a great way for a woman to keep her partner if she's had casual sex behind his back. I know it is a great way to get attention for a sad, lonely woman. But do you really think it's as high as 80%?
Also I'm missing Fawlty Towers to answer I hope you appreciate the sacrifice!

[jittery]

hi

Hi CH, no probs, I have seen it, yes. I'd love to believe insp gadget is right, but I hate to have to say it, I think that 80% of rape accusations being false seems a bit high to me (just my opinion), I've seen a figure of 40 % of rape claims being false a couple of times, that seems more realistic to me. I know crying rape is a great way for a spiteful, twisted cow to stop her ex seeing the kids; and even if she's rumbled there's no comebacks. I know it woiuld be a great way for a woman to keep her partner if she's had casual sex behind his back. I know it is a great way to get attention for a sad, lonely woman. But do you really think it's as high as 80%?
Also I'm missing Fawlty Towers to answer I hope you appreciate the sacrifice!

Just to add CH, I did work with a policeman's wife for 4 years. Her husband told her that a lot (didn't put a figure on it) of rape claims are false, at that time a high percentage were students away from home getting drunk and experiencing all that comes with that new found freedom for the first time. Not wanting to think they had casual sex (a much bigger stigma then than now) they would cry rape. When the women (at work) all scoffed "typical male pig!" his wife said "well that's what I said, but all the wpcs say the same so it must be true"

[Casehardened]

But do you really think it's as high as 80%?
Also I'm missing Fawlty Towers to answer I hope you appreciate the sacrifice!

I note that Inspector Gadget is only referring to current cases rather than the historical ones that make up a large proportion of the present workload of the CPS so both percentage figures could be correct depending on what criteria are used.

Fawlty Towers is very watchable but sadly doesn't appear to be available on my telly

[Potnoodle]

I'd say it round the 30-40% mark ! From what iv read what scary cos that's all most half

[jittery]

hi

I'd say it round the 30-40% mark ! From what iv read what scary cos that's all most half

Well another thought. I've had a really good day so far and I'm in a good mood, I'm putting a humerous tale here, but the final thought I think is one for genuine concern.

I'm now trying to put myself in the shoes of a criminal, a useful figure in the underworld, accused of rape (falsely or not) I perform a useful function and will be difficult to replace. After hearing my tale, my boss picks up the phone and makes some calls.....

There is a knock on my accuser's door. 2 figures, a man and a woman are on the doorstep.

Doris "the knitting needle" is a serial killer. Her method of attack? Faster than the eye can follow, her aged hands crochet a beany so horrifically gaudy in design, that , forced to wear it her hapless victims die of shame within 400 yards of their own front doors!

Benny the slasher, likewise is a serial killer. His method of attack? In the twinkling of an eye, he can visit the bathroom, wash AND dry his hands and be back before you know it. Under the trauma of witnessing such an awesome feat, his hapless victims shortly suffer lethal cardiac arrest!

Using a forged ID under his pseudonym Ian Percival Freely, it is Slasher who tricks their way in. Under pressuer, the accuser is forced into serving tea and garibaldis by the knitting needle and rashly serves slasher a mug rather than, more sensibly a small cup. Revealing their identities, my accuser is terrified as the capable octegenarian suggestively produces a ball of multi-coloured yarn and slasher shifts uneasily in his seat as he eyes the toilet door. She is forced into retracting her statement.

My accuser, desperately rings her local station to report this. There is no one there. To a person the local constabulary are buying copious amounts of lavatory paper at the news of the dastardly duo being abroad....


I've had a good day, I hope I can give you a bit of a laugh on this serious site. But my point is this. If I were a criminal with criminal connections I would stand a good chance in my view of having pressure put on my accuser to drop this. As my friends are law abiding, with inherent middle class trust in the judicial process this won't happen. Ergo, the number of people falsely accused will make up a higher rather than a lower percentage of cases going to court and the number of convictions will show a similar rate change.

[Rights Fighter]

There are no statistics apart from those where complainants have been prosecuted. In my experience many of those who claim to be falsely accused, have actually done some of the allegations but others have been added to them to support their (true) case and also for that extra bit of compensation.

I don't take on such cases as there are too many people in prison who have committed none of of what they were accused of, whatsoever. I got criticised a couple of years back because I would not look at a case where the guy admitted to indecently assaulting the child but had not raped her. He was most upset when he got the message that I wouldn't do it.

I have to draw the line somewhere.

[jittery]

hi

There are no statistics apart from those where complainants have been prosecuted. In my experience many of those who claim to be falsely accused, have actually done some of the allegations but others have been added to them to support their (true) case and also for that extra bit of compensation.

I don't take on such cases as there are too many people in prison who have committed none of of what they were accused of, whatsoever. I got criticised a couple of years back because I would not look at a case where the guy admitted to indecently assaulting the child but had not raped her. He was most upset when he got the message that I wouldn't do it.

I have to draw the line somewhere.

Crickey RF how unreasonable of you! Why someone like this asked you for help I don't know! I can understand where you are coming from, I've been over events with a fine toothcomb in my own head to make absolutely sure I've done nothing wrong before I stand confidently forward and say yes I am entirely innocent of this.

My accuser told me she felt as though she'd been used, and felt free to express her feelings. I reassured her as best I could and she seemed okay, I can only think she changed her mind when I left her. If I'd done as she asked and spent the night with her as she wanted , would she even have have gone to the police I wonder?

[jittery]

more

Crickey RF how unreasonable of you! Why someone like this asked you for help I don't know! I can understand where you are coming from, I've been over events with a fine toothcomb in my own head to make absolutely sure I've done nothing wrong before I stand confidently forward and say yes I am entirely innocent of this.

My accuser told me she felt as though she'd been used, and felt free to express her feelings. I reassured her as best I could and she seemed okay, I can only think she changed her mind when I left her. If I'd done as she asked and spent the night with her as she wanted , would she even have have gone to the police I wonder?

Also, and this is one of the points of this thought, the police will be well used to (I imagine) everyone pleading innocent, falsely accused or not as stated in the scenario of the grizzled copper.

[Rights Fighter]

You'd be amazed how many people who make excuses for their behaviour! God no, I want nothing to do with those who have done any of it. As soon as I realise the case is returned.

[jittery]

hi

You'd be amazed how many people who make excuses for their behaviour! God no, I want nothing to do with those who have done any of it. As soon as I realise the case is returned.

Rightly so RF! I can't send a message <15 characters so this makes it up!

[Rights Fighter]

What do you mean, you can't send a message? You've sent me PMs?

[jittery]

hi

What do you mean, you can't send a message? You've sent me PMs?

No. sorry RF a message here. Just had a pop up saying messages must contain at least 15 characters

[Rights Fighter]

If you need help with your case email me at the address I gave you in the PM - didn't mean to just discuss forum stuff in PM