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 think that it would make an interesting debate.

But as you say there are issues with all of the possibilities.

Someone once posted that they should be held before those that know about rape myths and would discount them. But then it depends on which myths they would be discounting.

As for this trial it is worth remembering that it wasn't a rape trial.

happycamper11 I mean they don't like them going out on the strip at night when it's really busy, Of course Cyproit's work in Ayia Napa but working is different. Its just what I've been told by my Grandmother who lives there. The Harbour and Luna Park are different, they are family areas. Me and DH spend alot of time at the Harbour though the day. Obviously the locals aren't a hive mind so maybe its just the ones she knows.

Sorry for the typos.

I don't recall the massed rapes and sexual assaults in cologne several new years ago getting anything like this attention, support and criticism of the perpetrators or justice system.

@frothybothie could that be because that didn't involve someone British? Or are you going to try and claim it is because of the race / religion of the attackers involved in both cases?

Devereux1 we are all stating our beliefs here. Surely that is the point.

I just find it hard to imagine anyone believes this was consensual.

The suspension of logic required is too great in my mind.

But you are right none of us have evidence to present.

Just as those saying Cyprus us safe have no evidence to present.

It is all on the basis of probability.

We form opinions only on what we have read. Unless we were there.

My hope is some if these men and boys will be so wracked with guilt as to say what (IMHO) really happened.

But for me, I find it utterly impossible this woman would have consented and those men have had that consent and it not removed when four of them had sex and injured her while others watched.

The idea she consented through out is to me preposterous.

@FairytaleofButlins people are entitled to their own opinions though are they not?

Nopasaran How is saying Israelis going o Cyprus before Military Service anti-Semitic??

With regards the ages, yes, of course 16-18 are teens and those under 18 are boys. I guess i'm wondering if the males who had sex/raped her are under or over 18 because reporting or referring to them as teens and boys seems a tactic to suggest tonne their innocence. We don't like to think of teens or boys committing sexual crimes so I just wonder if it's used on purpose.

Sparklesocks
people are entitled to their own opinions though are they not?

well, yes, exactly, so telling them to shut up is pretty pointless.

Deciding that someone is guilty without actual proof or knowledge of the case is more than having an opinion though, it's dangerous. And people have been proven wrong so many times.

I believe her because I've been there. I've seen pack mentality and we are Gods at play. I've seen people that weren't part of the pack just sit and watch and do nothing. I've heard someone that wasn't involved tell their girlfriend(whom i was friendly with) not to get involved because they'll turn on her. I've seen and heard the ribbing and encouraging eachother and what a great laugh it all is. I felt the contempt. I felt like a piece of meat. I felt the power and entertainment factor. I felt the disassociation even if they had known me for 7 long years. I was 13. And when I tried to tell? I was laughed at, told I was acting like a bitch in heat and what was I doing there? Luckily it stopped at sexual assault and didn't get to rape..

There is evidence. The judge refused to hear it.

The retraction she said she was coerced into signing, apparently her words, are not the way an English person expresses themselves. It was obviously written by the authorities for her to sign. It was in the press as the time.

Add for those saying why wouldn't a woman want to have sex with 4 men while 7 others watched, maybe some would, but this woman is apparently on film telling them to get out.

She was denied access to a lawyer apparently.

Whole thing stinks. I've believed her all along.

I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole,

Poor poor excuse of a waste of oxygen.

@FairytaleofButlins well surely that’s the case for both sides? When high profile cases such as this happen people will often comment and share their view based on their understanding - yes of course some people will be more knowledgable and have better critical thinking than others, but as nobody was there or a member of the investigation does that mean they shouldn’t be allowed to share a viewpoint?

'Well, bearing in mind one of the guys accused has actually proven that he was miles away in bed with his girlfriend (thanks to said girlfriend taking a selfie at the time of the attack...). '

Poster upthread says it was the man she was seeing who named the men there not the woman.

Which makes sense, who could name 11 people they don't know/barely know and esp if the time they meet them is in this situation.

glasswood you ask why we don’t think this woman is lying. I ask you why on earth you think she would lie? What could she gain? At the very least, even in a less sexist society, she would face questioning and possibly further humiliation. What for?

I admire anyone who has the courage to report a rape, reducing the risk that the rapists will go on to attack other victims.

Who could even ID that many strangers

Especially if they were being attacked at the time

Be realistic.

Oh wow SVRT says girls and women deserve gang rape if they get drunk.

Holidaying with the boys for you in Syria Napa soon then mate have fun, do what you like, no risk.

Syria is autocorrect obv

does that mean they shouldn’t be allowed to share a viewpoint?

sadly they are.
It could be your husband, your son, or yourself next. That's my only point.

FairytaleofButlins and it could also be your daughter, sister or friend. With rape convictions being as low as they are unfortunately that’s more likely statistically.

Men are more likely to be raped than falsely accused of rape.

The vast vast majority of rape reports are true and they are a tiny proportion of actual rapes.

I hope that makes you feel better.

I believe her because I've been there.

no you haven't. You have a (bad) experience, it doesn't make this case true either way. You know nothing unless you were physically there.

Sparklesocks
of course, and it's for their own protection that people screaming guilty because they heard the word "rape" that should be shut down!