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The Evening Standard
January 17, 2004
False complaints
Letter to
the Editor
by Lionel A Richards
WA state
director, The Shared Parenting Council of Australia
I applaud your courage and that of the Manawatu
Standard in publishing the story, Police Sick of False Sex Complaints, which
illuminates a seedier part of the truth about false allegations and
politically correct gender stereotypes (January 14).
From counselling members of our AussieDads network, and as a victim of false
allegations myself, I know only too well the stigma and public odium
attached.
Even after a total exoneration by a government department inquisition and by
the court, some mud still sticks.
Too many men simply commit suicide, knowing that the truth means nothing when
faced with such entrenched anti-male gender bias as exists in the domestic
violence, sexual assault and child abuse industries.
Even if the police do lay charges, the court will not likely sanction or even
record a conviction against a female perpetrator, but it has to start
somewhere.
Bravo to Detective Sergeant Dave Clifford for his intestinal fortitude in
speaking out with the truth about this sad reality.
While false gender stereotyping re mains a factor, we will never accurately
profile the false accuser, a true abuser or a genuine victim.
As with many things in life on this planet, it only takes a few bad eggs to
ruin the omelette for everyone.
Your article is the first glimmer of hope in dispelling the rumour of the
Clark Government's plan to rename the country New Liquorland.
While a monumental breakthrough in itself, the comments by Detective Sergeant
Clifford and the article in your paper barely scratch the surface of this
festering sore on the underbel ly of modern society.
I look forward with keen interest to see your Manawatu Standard continue this
fine tradition in exposing the truth about human violence.
Violent and abusive behaviour is a gender-neutral phenomenon.
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