Anonymity For U.K. Men Accused of Rape

Apparently, there is actually the odd bout of common sense amid politicians in the U.K. The newly formed Lib/Con coalition published a government program containing a pledge that would grant men who are accused of rape the same anonymity that is allowed rape accusers in court (imagine that, innocent until proven guilty...what a novel idea).

Predictably, feminists are outraged at the concept of intrinsic human rights being extended to men as well as women, contending that such a move would A) imply that women are likely to lie about rape and B) even going so far as to suggest that victims of rape would be less likely to come forward if men were granted anonymity. How very typical of feminists to make this all about women. Why protect innocent men if there's the merest chance it may prove detrimental to the feminist agenda.

That the lives of men who are accused of rape are irrevocably damaged is a fact. Despite feminist attempts, there is no room for debate on the matter. The stigma that such an accusation carries is irrevocable. The accused will always live under a shadow of doubt. People will always wonder.....they will always suspect.

There are a myriad of tales of horror. Tales of men who lost their jobs, their families, who were savagely beaten, who were killed, who were falsely convicted and spent years in prison, who took their own lives....all due to false accusations. Unfortunately, in the public eye, any man accused of rape is guilty. There is no innocent until proven guilty. In the court of public opinion, an accusation is the equivalent of a conviction, regardless of what the court finds....regardless of whether or not the case ever even goes to trial.

Feminists would have us believe that the court system is failing women by the low number of rape convictions (I believe 6% in the U.K.). Feminists try to use this low figure to show bias against women in the court system. However, what feminists generally fail to point out is that of the rape accusations where there is sufficient evidence and cause to go to court, there is a conviction rate of nearly 60%. Bias? Well, yes....bias is alive and well within the court system but it isn't to the detriment of women. The bias lies in the way women are allowed to get away with a crime as heinous as falsely accusing a man of rape, with little to no repercussions.

Feminists would also have us believe that false rape accusations are an anomaly...too few and infrequent to be bear relevance. While I wish this were the case, the evidence suggests otherwise.

A study of rape allegations in Indiana over a nine-year period revealed that over 40% were shown to be false — not merely unproven. According to the author, “These false allegations appear to serve three major functions for the complainants: providing an alibi, seeking revenge, and obtaining sympathy and attention. False rape allegations are not the consequence of a gender-linked aberration, as frequently claimed, but reflect impulsive and desperate efforts to cope with personal and social stress situations.” ( Kanin EJ. Arch Sex Behav. 1994 Feb;23(1):81-92 False rape allegations. )

In 1985, a study of 556 rape allegations found that 27% accusers recanted when faced with a polygraph (which can be ordered in the military), and independent evaluation showed a false accusation rate of 60%. (McDowell, Charles P., Ph.D. “False Allegations.” Forensic Science Digest, (publication of the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations), Vol. 11, No. 4 (December 1985), p. 64.)


http://www.billoblog.com/?p=134

Of course, even without a shred of supporting evidence....I would be skeptical of feminist claims. One need merely watch the nightly news to see the disturbing trend of false rape allegations and the corresponding lack of conscience they imply.

I will hope this measure is simply the first step in a chain of such measures. I will hope that after U.K. men who have been accused of rape are granted anonymity, they will move on to measures to adequately address the growing number of false rape accusations. I will hope that we will eventually see a day where false rape accusers are given the same sentences they were willing to subject their victims to and I will hope they serve every bit as much time in jail for their despicable crimes. Additionally, I will hope that politicians in the U.S. will emulate their counterparts in the U.K., dredging up their own bit of common sense and putting an end to the atrocities currently going on in our court system.

I would encourage everyone to write your representatives in Congress, praising the combined efforts in the U.K. and demanding that we in the U.S. implement similar measures.


The False Rape Society has two posts concerning opposition to the U.K. anonymity measure.

A Call To Arms

Refutation of Motion Opposing Anonymity

Be sure to check out both links and take advantage of activism opportunities to speak out in support of anonymity for men accused of rape.