Cyprus is no longer a safe place for (young, single) women to holiday?

[Kraai]

The teen went back to her ONS's room for consensual sex. When there, 11 of his mates burst in and filmed while three of them then raped her. She went to the police and reported it. They were detained. They said it was consensual and was "with love" (I kid you not!). She was interviewed at length with no legal representation and the police decided she was lying. She was then charged with the crime of making up a crime and has been unable to come home since the summer. The guys were all allowed to return to Israel where some of them have since said things indicating she wasn't lying at all and I'm pretty sure the video was shared (from memory, which may be wrong). She's had psychological evaluation saying she's suffering badly from PTSD.

It's worth noting that the Cyprus is a very popular destination for young Israelis to let off steam before they start national service and there's a strong political tie between the two.

So, AIBU to say that Cyprus is no longer a safe destination for young woman? If the worst happens to you and you report it and the police think you're not a credible witness, YOU will end up in jail. Knowing how traumatic reporting something like a stolen wallet in a foreign police station can be, the idea that a woman would be interviewed without legal representation in a state of severe distress, however that manifests, and then not believed and charged means that men have been given free rein to rape in Cyprus. Especially if it's in a potential "grey zone".

https://www.bbc.com/news/videoandd_audio/headlines/50944483/cyprus-rape-claim-case-it-s-a-very-worrying-conviction

[TheincredibleBookEatingManchot]

I think the people saying she was putting herself at risk by having a one night stand with a stranger are missing the point somewhat.

It's not just the fact that she was raped (horrific though that is) that is appalling, it's her treatment by the police, the people who should be bringing perpetrators of crimes like this to justice, that make this case particularly shocking and makes Cyprus appear as an unsafe and hostile place to women.

[TatianaLarina]

Utterly bizarre that the judge refused to consider evidence that the girl had been raped - because it was not a rape trial - given that that evidence is integral to the issue of whether she lied.

I’m heartened to see there will be an appeal, and if necessary escalation to the ECHR.

[pachyderm]

Fruitdryingpsychopath, yes, see also last year's trial of the Belfast rugby players. It's definitely coming from porn, this idea that your mate is with a girl so you all come in and have a go. Horrible.

[ohwheniknow]

Men already had free rein to rape. No country is safe in that respect.

[june2007]

Yes it is definately the Legal system that has let this girl down but then again how many rape and sexual abuse/violence victims are let down by the police in the uk? Not saying it,s right but it, easy to think we are better then another country when we are not, or vis-a -versa.

[AlternativePerspective]

@ Fruitdryingpsychopath actually, what the fuck are you talking about? Where has anyone said that she deserved to be raped? Where has anyone said that she should have expected to be raped. Nowhere.

But suggesting that women shouldn’t go back to a stranger’s house for a one night stand is no different to suggesting that women shouldn’t travel alone to Cyprus because of what could happen.

When you go out do you lock your house? Or do you think that you should be able to go out and not do so?

Do you lock the car? Are you careful about who you give your credit card details to?

None of it is about asking to be a victim, it’s about taking steps to hopefully minimise the possibility of becoming one.

We all take steps to protect our personal security, e.g. locking the house/car/not leaving valuables on the front seat, but for some reason people seem to deny that we should also protect ourselves, where possible, against the possibilities of violent crime such as rape/murder.

Why are dating sites full of advice to never give out your home address when meeting, always tell someone where you are, etc etc if not to help mitigate against risk?

Advising that a young woman (any young woman) should think twice about going home with/taking a complete stranger home for a one night stand is common sense. If she chooses to do that anyway and becomes a victim she is not to blame, but the hope would be that she (again, any young woman, not necessarily this one) would take those steps before something happened to hopefully prevent it happening.

[Theloftmonster]

@PerfectOrganism 99% of rapes are her word against his. The justice system is supposed to look at any evidence, including the physical injuries sustained. This didn't happen.

[Devereux1]

Until all the evidence and details of the case are available for me, or any of us, to study, I don't think it's fair to state that Cyprus is no longer a safe place for women to holiday, no.

[KatherineJaneway]

Awful case, really awful.

[Drabarni]

It's cheap and cheerful and a different culture to us.
About time people realised that going to some countries is like this.
I'm talking about the leering of men, obviously not condoning rape.

[kirinm]

This case is so disturbing. Utterly horrific. I hope the appeal is successful.

I believe her.

[kirinm]

@Devereux1 - which bit of her being refused access to a lawyer or a family member when being questioned or there being evidence of DNA of 4 of the men doesn't assist you?

[Fraggling]

I've believed her since the start.

The collision of police courts etc in Cyprus, to pursue her, I'm sure to protect the tourist industry, is a disgrace.

Having said that, getting a rape case prosecuted in the UK is pretty much impossible these days. And it was always v difficult.

Really upsetting.

[CrissmussMockers]

Ayia Napa was never safe. It has always been the most hardcore of the ClubMed Booze&Sex sewers.

[AlternativePerspective]

It's not just the fact that she was raped (horrific though that is) that is appalling, it's her treatment by the police, the people who should be bringing perpetrators of crimes like this to justice, that make this case particularly shocking and makes Cyprus appear as an unsafe and hostile place to women. but the conviction rate for rape in the UK is incredibly low. This cascade is extreme because it has gone one further into prosecuting the woman for lying about being raped, but there is certainly plenty of evidence in the UK system to suggest that many women simply don’t report sexual crimes because of the unlikelihood of being believed/having the perpetrators brought to justice.

[Emeraldshamrock]

We don't know she was raped. Her word against theirs
Who in their right mind would put themself in a situation of accusing rape.
I can only imagine how awful the entire process is. It is no wonder plenty of women decide to keep quiet and try move on without reporting.
I bet false accusations are in a very very small minority.

[AlternativePerspective]

cascade case bloody auto correct.

[LastNameMarple]

This case is absolutely chilling. That poor young woman, having to go through this dreadful attack and then the additional trauma of being vilified, judged and not believed.

I hope she has a good lawyer who can take this to the highest courts and get a conviction.

[Devereux1]

kirinm
@Devereux1 which bit of her being refused access to a lawyer or a family member when being questioned or there being evidence of DNA of 4 of the men doesn't assist you?

There is no need for such a tone. I have not seen any evidence that she was refused a lawyer, only that one was not present. Which report states that?

[FairytaleofButlins]

I have only read what was reported in the media, I wouldn't be able to judge one way or another frankly.

[TheincredibleBookEatingManchot]

Yes, I admit it's true that the UK and many other countries also have terrible track records when it comes to convicting rapists.

But to charge the woman with a crime goes a step further than just releasing the men because of a lack of evidence and seems to be sending a clear message to women that the police do not want to receive reports of rape.

[ChuckleBuckles]

It's not victim-blaming. The point is if you don't know someone your with, you could be going home with anyone and it can happen anywhere

Exactly beware of those you don't know, except that 90% of rape and sexual assault victims know their attacker so it is best not to be in the same space as strangers or people you know either. But rest assured that if you are raped many people will commit the kind of mental gymnastics to blame you that it would get them an Olympic gold medal.

The sad/disturbing fact is that there were three convictions for every 100 rape cases recorded by the police in England and Wales last year.

[Kraai]

It is hervormd against theirs..as is always the case in rape cases. Most women don't go on holiday to make false rape claims, covered in scratches, filmed and suffering PTSD though.

The reason I'd say it's not safe is because the reason many young people go there is to meet people if the opposite sex and let their hair down. They assume it's safe. Knowing that you can go back to your date's room and get raped by his mates and have no legal recourse, changes the dynamics totally.

Maybe the advice should be for young women to bring the man or men they want to have sex with to their own room - and understand that once they're in that room together, they've given consent for anything to happen? And from the sounds of things, not only on holiday in Cyprus.

I do take the point that rape cases here aren't prosecuted, the difference is that the women reporting won't be prosecuted themselves, they're just left to pick up the pieces alone.