Rape allegations and anonymity

[CCC]

With the Duke Lacrosse team back in the news after the charges against them have been dropped, what is your opinion on anonymity in the press?

Rape (or sexual assault) is one of the most heinous things that can happen to a woman and anonymity in the media makes it a little safer for her to come out and make the charges.

A false accusation of rape is one of the scariest things that can happen to a guy and even if charges are dropped, some will still view the accused as having committed the heinous act.

(Poll at top on how you feel the press ought to handle it... responses are anonymous)

[fairlyconserv]

I voted to keep them both anon, until/unless there is a conviction.

Of course in high profile cases, or cases that involve celebs that would be pretty hard to do.

[grimrebuke]

Unfortunately our media doesn't seem to appreciate the concept of "innocent until proven guilty." I'm opposed to publishing the names of either party. I'm also opposed to being allowed to pursue a civil complaint against a person who has been acquitted in a criminal case.

[Mystlet]

As much as I'd like to think the public has a right to know if it a person in trust that is accused (like a police officer, doctor, teacher), there should be anonymity.
But as long as there is someone with a video camera making a living through sensationalism, it will never happen. And it truth, it's all of our faults it happens that way, because we all hunger for the dirt. We've all probably read every article published on this case and for what? To sate our curiosity.

[SpabSFW]

anon, anon

[minni_the_minx]

Neither party should be named until after the trial. Men have been falsely accused of rape, and had their name and picture spread across every newspaper and TV channel, that in my opinion is unfair, unjust and against his human right. Mud sticks, these men who have been the victim of malicious women have had their lives ruined, they lose their jobs, house, friends, family, everything, how can that be legal??? Women only have to cry rape falsely and either way they get the result they want!!! If a man is guilty then he deserves to be named, but ONLY after it has been proven by the courts.

[Chap]

I agree. A friend of mine is a teacher. He was accused of being inappropriate with a female student. He lost his job and appealed. After several years the girl said she made it up. oops...too late. Everyone had already 'sentenced' him and there is no turning it around now. No punishment for the little chippie though, now that she destroyed a man's career. The girl along with the media screwed him.

[Reaper]

Until a conviction both anonymous

[EMTrue]

What if releasing the information helps bring out other victims?

[CCC]

Originally Posted by EMTrue

What if releasing the information helps bring out other victims?

This is an interesting point.

Say, for example, it is a public school teacher...
Exposing the name of the accused could bring out more victims who feel less intimidated in larger numbers to finally seek out justice. Conversely, exposing name of the accused could draw out vindictive and/or publicity/money-seeking individuals.

[jojo]

I'll support privacy for both. I know that's unrealistic though.

[Mystlet]

Originally Posted by EMTrue

What if releasing the information helps bring out other victims?

Victims can always access the court system after a trial, if the accused is found guilty and their identity is released.
The prosecution likes to find more victims pre-trial because they can prosecute more than 1 crime at a time, and the combined evidence gives a stronger presentation. They have to do more work to develop a case against the accused, and in a few cases, it may mean there's not enough evidence to warrant charges.

[pavlos]

Originally Posted by minni_the_minx

Neither party should be named until after the trial. Men have been falsely accused of rape, and had their name and picture spread across every newspaper and TV channel, that in my opinion is unfair, unjust and against his human right. Mud sticks, these men who have been the victim of malicious women have had their lives ruined, they lose their jobs, house, friends, family, everything, how can that be legal??? Women only have to cry rape falsely and either way they get the result they want!!! If a man is guilty then he deserves to be named, but ONLY after it has been proven by the courts.

agreed with one difference, neither should be named, unless there is a guilty verdict, and then and only then, should the woman be able to give her name or name the man, if it is an innocent verdicted, then the man should remain anonymous and be allowed to carry on with his life, as you said mud sticks.