Woman jailed for ten years for false rape accusations

[OlennasWimple]

Can we discuss this case? It's interesting for lots of reasons, including that the sentence she has been given for making multiple false accusations is over three times the length that one of the men who was falsely accused was given for actual rape

NoLoveofMine

Hold on. What you're doing would be called 'Whataboutery and Vestal* is victim blaming.

I don't think a false accusation of rape should carry a lengthier sentence than actual rape though. The man she accused was sentenced to 7 years, being sentenced to the same amount of time that all her victims spent in prison, served concurrently, might seem a bit fairer.

She'd made false accusations against fifteen men though, each of whom could have served time in prison, and no doubt suffered greatly whilst under investigation. Fair to me would be her serving as long as her victims (and that's what they are) could potentially have served.

@Ferrets which is basically every crime that exists

But this thread isn't about every crime that exists. Why would we discuss our thoughts on every crime that exists. It's like you're trying to derail the discussion or prevent discussion about this crime What to you achieve by doing that?

Perjury is a very serious crime and obviously rape is too. What I meant is that the sentence for lying about a crime is not determined with reference to the fake crime.

I think anyone who makes a false allegation has done a disservice to genuince victims.

Well yes but the point is people only say it about false accusations of rape and never any other crime.

How often do you hear "this will make it harder for genuine victims" about a false claim of burglary, for instance?

Hold on. What you're doing would be called 'Whataboutery

I have said what I think about the case in the OP, about the culprit and about the judge's sensible sentencing remarks. It's relevant to point out rapes are far more common but receive far less press coverage and give examples of recent incidents. I'd say the comparatively little attention this violent attack is being given especially as the sentencing was also today is relevant: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-41035610

@Mumof56

The only one trying to derail here is you.

I don't know about that many cases of false allegations of burglary.

@Ferrets

no, you're the one saying we should talk about every other false accusation of every other crime instead of talking about this one.

Again, what do you achieve by doing that?

Not only has she ruined many mens lives, she has done a disservice to people who have been raped

How? If I lie about being burgled or mugged how does that affect any one else?

no, you're the one saying we should talk about every other false accusation of every other crime instead of talking about this one.

I am not saying that at all.

Wanting to discuss why we only ever say certain things about false rape accusations that we don't say about false accusations of other crimes is a perfectly valid and reasonable question. It's not shutting down discussion. It is quite the opposite.

"Cases such as this bring a real risk that a woman who has been raped or sexually assaulted may not complain to the police for fear of not being believed."

I think that was unnecessary and unhelpful thing to say and badly phrased.

I don't know about that many cases of false allegations of burglary.

They defintley happen. They just don't tend to make the headlines.

In what way, Lass? I took it to mean he was aware this case would get disproportionate coverage compared to cases of rape (scarcely reported) and that they'd be seized upon by those who want people to believe false allegations are common, as well as that victims may fear police will be sceptical due to this case receiving a great deal of attention. It's also just a quotation from the sentencing remarks which will I'm sure have gone into that issue more.

Had she been given the same length of sentence for the false aligations as the guy who was convicted then she'd have been given a 24 year sentence and that doesn't include the 6 false sexual assault claims.

What she did was wicked, deliberately ruining reputations and lives for her own devious reasons, and I have nothing but pity for the men she has slandered like this. I think she is a delusional and dangerous person and her sentence is justified.

But, as others have said by making false accusations she has handed out free ammunition to those who are convinced many women make false accusations, or "change their minds" after consensual sex, or make accusations for revenge, out of guilt, or whatever. we already have ridiculous sentencing guidelines for rape, really low rates for bringing charges and for conviction. She has now thrown another spanner in the works by giving rape doubters a voice which I suspect will be used very loudly to throw doubt on victims testimony and evidence.

@Lass

Equating being raped with being burglarized?

Would you say to a rape victim "at least you weren't burglarized"

I don't know about that many cases of false allegations of burglary

Of course they happen. Insurance companies devote a great deal of resources to it. It doesn't mean that my insurance company is not going to believe me if I am burgled.

@Lass

Equating being raped with being burglarized?

Would you say to a rape victim "at least you weren't burglarized"

What on earth are you on about?

It is quite simple - the fact someone lies about being burgled has no effect on any other victim of burglary. So why should we give any credence to the idea that one person lying about rape affects real victims.

And you are right I would never say "burglarized" as it is not a word.

This is exactly my point though. Why does the tiny percentage of false accusations put women off reporting rape and fearing they won't be believed? People make false accusations about all sorts of crimes but people never say that they will put genuine victims off reporting, do they? Asking this question is in no way derailing or trying to stop discussion.

I've been raped. I didn't report it and I admit this was because partly because I felt I wouldn't be believed but it wasn't the fact that a tiny percentage of women have made false accusations that made me think that. It was more to do with the perception that women run around making false allegations that put me off.

Of course it doesn't apply in this case but I've lost count of the number of headlines I've read about a false rape accusation only to then actually read the article to see that it hadn't been proven to be a false accusation. All that had happened was the case had been dropped or the man had been acquitted and it had then been slapped with the label "false accusation" as a result.

I knew fine well that if I had reported my rape and the case had been dropped or if he had been found not guilty then I would have been branded a liar.

Why is this a feminist issue??
She is sick and disgusting and could of potentially ruined a lot of people's lives. An accusation of rape hangs over you forever whether you are guilty or not. She should of got longer in jail

@Lass And you are right I would never say "burglarized" as it is not a word

You should tell the dictionary that
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burglarize

This is exactly my point though. Why does the tiny percentage of false accusations put women off reporting rape and fearing they won't be believed? People make false accusations about all sorts of crimes but people never say that they will put genuine victims off reporting, do they? Asking this question is in no way derailing or trying to stop discussion.

Victims of rape are frequently disbelieved hence such low conviction rates. This disbelief doesn't happen with other crimes to anything like the same extent which is why a case like this is so damaging to victims of rape.

Sorry, I posted the OP then real life got in the way, so I inadvertently looked like a GF

If someone was going to make up a case to illustrate "but what about the women who lie about rape and ruin lots of mens' lives", I think this one would tick pretty much all the boxes. I too noticed that her sexual orientation was featured prominently in the headlines and wider coverage, although not strictly related to the case (except tangentially to her apparent motivation)

I agree that the sentencing around rape is too light, rather than her sentence necessarily being too harsh. Though I note that Jonathan Aiken was sentenced to 18 months for perjury and perverting the course of justice, whilst Jeffrey Archer (in what the judge described as as serious a case of perjury as I have had experience of or been able to find in the books") got a four year sentence

In what way, Lass?

Because of the type of comments on here by mumof56 for example.

Ferrets is absolutely right. Wanting to discuss why we only ever say certain things about false rape accusations that we don't say about false accusations of other crimes is a perfectly valid and reasonable question

The judge has lit the blue touch paper on that. What he should have said is something along the lines that whilst this is a terrible case fortunately false accusations are vanishingly rare and left it at that.