RAPE, CRIME & JUSTICE
In preparing to write my latest book dealing with the justice system, I sent out and asked hundreds of professing "justice advocates" and others a list of questions. One of those questions was very simple....
You have a rape case - there is a person on one side of the case and there is a person on the other side of the case (Plaintiff - Defendant) - Who is the victim?
Overwhelmingly the answer was......
"The person who was raped"
The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is nowhere in that answer! I do not care how horrendous the crime is or how much emotion is shown - we do an injustice to all true victims when we assume guilt on either side of any case.
Treat both sides with decency until there is a verdict and then punish, comfort & care for accordingly.
PS. Maybe share this with all your media friends first!
Community Collaborator with First Voice Expertise: Gender Based Violence Education, Prevention, Justice and Healing.
5yI recently supported a man who was falsely accused of abusing his kids as An effort to gain leverage in a custody dispute. I am aware of the nuances of the issue on both sides however my extensive personal and professional experience has been a horror show Of mistreatment ostracization and secondary traumatic abuse of sexual assault survivors. I think there are usually indications of cases where malice is a factor, And most sexual assaults do not fall in that category as you know.
Community Collaborator with First Voice Expertise: Gender Based Violence Education, Prevention, Justice and Healing.
6yVictims, overwhelmingly children; are presumed to be guilty of fabrication on many occasions. There should be no presumptions period. Except the presumption that a victim needs to be treated respectfully, and that if the investigation is done as thoroughly as possible and bias free, there is no concern of false allegations. More often than not, rapes are unpunished and often not robustly investigates, leading to more victimization and dehumanizing victims as “accusers” and “allegers” . Not safe for anyone involved, this rapists are free to rape again.