Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

What will happen if the law is changed regarding people accused of rape?

37 replies

ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 10/07/2016 21:51

This isn't a TAAT but rather a thread inspired by a different thread.

With what has happened to Cliff Richards I have a very horrible feeling that the law will be changed soon so that people accused of rape will be granted anonymity. I'm trying to tell myself that I'm being illogical and the law won't be changed just because people are pushing for it to be changed but I can't help but think it will be.

So what will happen if it is changed? My understanding is that a lot of rape convictions are secured only because other women have come forward after the suspects identity has been revealed. If more than one woman are saying x has raped them then it makes it more likely that a conviction will be secured than if it was only just one person saying he did it.

So if you can't name suspects then what? Will the conviction rate drop? Do you think John Worboys and other serial rapists would have been convicted if they were allowed to remain anonymous?

OP posts:
Original poster
ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 10/07/2016 22:11

Being accused of rape is going to destroy someone's life.

People always trot this out but nobody is ever able to back it up.

I can assure that far more women have their lives ruined because of being raped and seeing their attacker walk free than men have because of being falsely accused.

But of course they're women so they aren't important Hmm.

OP posts:
The2Ateam · 10/07/2016 22:10

of course not, and you're being ridiculous to suggest that it is, or that's my opinion.

Original poster
ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 10/07/2016 22:08

Many people will believe the " no smoke without fire".

Do they really? Honestly?

IME people tend to assume that if someone is accused but then acquitted then he is automatically innocent therefore the accusation was obviously a false one. He will then go on to be a "I know someone who was falsely accused..." story.

I was sexually assaulted last year. I reported it but as it was my word against his he was acquitted. Do you think he tells people that he sexually assaulted a woman and got away with it? No of course he doesn't. He tells people I falsely accused him and because he wasn't convicted people believe him over me.

So no, I don't buy this whole "accusations ruins lives" hysteria that people trot out.

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 10/07/2016 22:07

It's not really about reputation is it Countess. Being accused of rape is going to destroy someone's life.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 10/07/2016 22:03

Then why do you want anonymity for the accused, Now, despite the evidence it will mean less justice and more rapes? Are the reputations of men so much more important than the suffering of women?

The2Ateam · 10/07/2016 22:02

I've thought about this a lot, and I think the default position should be that the accused should be granted anonymity, BUT no like victims while have an automatic life long anonymity. Also there should be flexibility for it to be challenged on occasion by the prosecution and the judge makes a decision. So say, stranger rape committed by a cab/taxi driver, then other any other victims could come forward during trial.

TimeforaNNChange · 10/07/2016 22:01

As I understand it, the law should have "protected" Cliff Richard from being publicly named. He has not been charged, therefore his identity as a suspect should not have been known publicly.
I imagine that this is why he has a legal case against the police and BBC, who disclosed his identity to the media as having been arrested in a particular criminal case.

There seems to be no need to change the law - the laws are already there.

Original poster
ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 10/07/2016 22:00

Innocent until proven guilty has nothing to do with suspects being named.

OP posts:
confusionis · 10/07/2016 21:58

Innocent until proven guilty.
That is and should remain the case, but perhaps you would like that to be changed too?

AndNowItsSeven · 10/07/2016 21:57

What a horrible thing to say. Of course I care if more people are being raped.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 10/07/2016 21:56

Fewer convictions so even more rapes. But that doesn't matter to people like AndNowItsSeven, clearly.

AndNowItsSeven · 10/07/2016 21:53

I hope it is changed, if a man is falsely accused of rape his life will never be the same again. Many people will believe the " no smoke without fire".