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NZ Herald
January 16, 2002
False rape complaints irk police
False rape complaints are frustrating and breed suspicion among
police, a police officer says.
The experienced officer - who asked not to be
named - spoke out yesterday after the latest false sex complaint, which
involved a 16-year-old girl who claimed she was abducted from a park at
Porirua by three men, blindfolded and taken to an unknown location, where she
was raped.
The teenager has since admitted to police that she made up the story and has
been referred to Youth Aid.
The officer said a tendency for police to be suspicious about rape complaints
was a problem, but understandable after false complaints.
"It's only natural ... You do get far too many of them."
False complaints were also frustrating for investigators.
Police were often reluctant to charge offenders with making false complaints
because the lies might have stemmed from personal problems. A court case was
unlikely to solve those problems.
Though the motive might be clear and simple with a false burglary complaint -
financial gain - it was often more complex with sex crimes. Possible motives
were gaining attention, problems at home or a safe way out of an unfaithful
liaison.
The officer said there was a concern, however, that false complaints might
increase after publicity about ACC payouts for sex crime victims.
Another danger was police putting less effort into solving real crimes
because resources were tied up investigating the lie.
Despite concerns about false complaints, the officer said victims should not
shy from contacting police.
All reports would be investigated fully
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