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

[FairytaleofButlins]

I believe her

ok... thankfully that is not enough to condemn anyone in a civilised country. Long may it lasts.

[Thinkingabout1t]

perfectorganism, you say “we never have problems” so you’re obviously not holidaying alone — I’d guess you’re with a male partner —, and using mumsnet you’re probably not a teenager.

[Cobblersandhogwash]

Well she sustained injuries from this sex. I can't imagine it was fun having sex with four men.

Dumb comment about why can't a woman enjoy sex with four men at the same time. Truly truly thick.

[Italiangreyhound]

Can i ask how old these males were. I keep seeing the words 'teens' and 'boys', were they 18 or over or under, does anyone know?

Yes, people can lie, I think those men are lying and the legal system let her down.

It's very odd anyone wants to try and try and defend this travesty of justice, IMHO.

[Devereux1]

SHE says she was denied a lawyer

But was she? Given that she was not the accused, it would not have been a matter of course to have offered her one. Do you know for a fact that she requested a lawyer attend, but was refused?

The boys allegedly screamed "British whore" and "british whore sucks dick"
Maybe they did. They might have yelled this if they had raped her or if they had not. They're not coming out of this smelling of roses.

you're going to have to accept that she was happy to have sex with 4 boys.

I accept that possibility. I accept many possibilities right now, without having studied the evidence.

[Sparklesocks]

I believe her

[kirinm]

@Italiangreyhound - 16-18 apparently. Really very young.

[kirinm]

@Devereux1

Well she says she was denied a lawyer - and subsequently sent texts to her friends and family soon after saying the same thing - but you keep going ahead with your assumption that everything she says must be untrue until you've been presented with every shred of evidence available. They don't record interviews so there is no evidence.

Try reading around the subject area before simply denying each and every single point on the basis that there is no evidence.

[FairytaleofButlins]

18 IS a teenager...

[Devereux1]

Italiangreyhound
It's very odd anyone wants to try and try and defend this travesty of justice, IMHO.

Such comments are very peculiar.
So you has been proven to be a travesty of justice has it? Yes? No, of course not. You believe it is. But it's not like other travesties of justice which are proven to be so.
So you see posters here defending something which doesn't exist? Yes? No, of course not. What you see are people thankfully delaying judgment until they have studied the evidence.

It may surprise you, but your subjective belief that she is a victim and they are guilty, does not make it a fact. You could well be right or wrong, but it's not sad or odd to read anyone not joining you in your own belief.

[PumpkinP]

This wouldn’t stop me going to Cyprus. I went 3 times to ayia napa ten years ago now and I never felt unsafe or in any danger. Nothing ever happened to me or my friends or anyone I know. I think going back to a ONS place you barely know is always going to be a risk which can happen anywhere.

[cherryblossomgin]

I thought the story was it was consensual but they started to take videos and share it and that's when she claimed rape?

[LochJessMonster]

So, AIBU to say that Cyprus is no longer a safe destination for young woman?

Yes YABU to condemn a whole country on this one case.
Miscarriages of justices (if that is what has happened) occur in most countries.

[cuparfull]

Scandalous! Women are judged differently in many cultures and are still treated as an underclass subject to authority of men. Mothers are complicit in the lauding of sons above daughters. I wonder are the mothers of the accused men asking them searching questions now..... why they surreptitiously entered a hotel room.... etc

By all accounts she hasn't been treated fairly by the police and courts in Cyprus, her Human Rights have been abused. She should never have been allowed to sign anything without having an advocate beside her. Where was our British Consulate support during the sham trial?
I believe her as who would put themselves through such unconscionable vilification willingly.
We lived there many years ago, I wouldn't have trusted the Authoritites then and it appears nothing much has changed.
Boycott Cyprus! Don't give these places our money.

[Devereux1]

kirinm
Thank goodness you're not on the case. keep going ahead with your assumption that everything she says must be untrue - that assumption is only in your head, I never said that did I?

See why it's important to stick to the facts and not make false assumptions?

[RebelWithVerySharpClaws]

Absolute disgrace. Stay away from the place, not safe for women.

[kirinm]

@Devereux1 have you read anything around this case?

[Kraai]

@Newdilemma and understand that once they're in that room together, they've given consent for anything to happen?

Absolutely bloody not! This means that women basically sign away autonomy of their bodies if they take a man back to their room. Fuck that rapist misogynistic shit!

I absolutely agree - I was being sarcastic!

[bellabasset]

The BBC News shows an interview this morning between Simon McCoy and lawyer, Michael Polak, who explains why the trial was unfair and he is helping her.

[NoPasaran]

"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."

That's a lovely bit of casual anti Semitism there, OP. FFS.

[NoPasaran]

@BringMeTea I believe her. The Israelis will have been involved. The powers that be. Shameful.

Disgusting. You should be ashamed.

[BringMeTea]

I wish people would stop conflating followers of the Jewish faith and Israelis.

[happycamper11]

perfectorganism, you say “we never have problems” so you’re obviously not holidaying alone I’d guess you’re with a male partner , and using mumsnet you’re probably not a teenager

I have been going there for 22 years starting when I was a teenager - I have lived and worked in the resort as a single female in my early 20's and even after I had dc1 and 2 in my 30's. What I will say is the only time I've felt slightly intimidated is when being surrounded by large groups of Israeli boys who generally travel in large packs and have little respect for personal space. I've never felt unsafe though. The bouncers are well tuned in to this and keep a close eye and in fact they are not let in to most night clubs.