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Evening Standard
January 19, 2004
Rape victim slates police criticism of false complaints
by Anna Wallis
A Palmerston North rape victim has labelled police
criticism of false rape complaints as unjust, when fake theft and fire
insurance claims are more deserving of publicity.
The woman, who didn't want to be named, said while she felt anger as a
genuine rape victim toward people who falsely claimed they had been raped, it
was wrong to highlight this when other crimes had a much higher false
reporting rate.
Last week, Detective Sergeant Dave Clifford said Palmerston North police were
getting one false complaint a week and it had got to the point "where we
have to start locking them up".
The 17 year old who made a false complaint to the Palmerston North police last
weekend has since appeared in court and been granted police diversion.
"Theft and fires are often an insurance scam and overclaiming for items
stolen after genuine theft is very common," the woman said.
"Where are the headlines about this false reporting?
"Highlighting false complaints makes it even more difficult for genuine
cases to come forward and increases the distress felt by those dealing with
the devastating effects of rape."
She said it also rewarded people seeking attention.
The woman said it was difficult enough to take a rape case to the police, but
the situation was made worse if women thought police would not believe them.
"I feel angry towards people who make these accusations but also some
compassion.
"Some most have psychological problems and need assistance. It seems to
be a cry for help," the woman said.
She said withdrawal of a rape complaint didn't necessarily mean it was false.
A spokeswoman for the Manawatu Rape and Sexual Assault Centre said false
complaints took up police time and resources and possibly made the police
"a bit less receptive when the next legitimate person comes along".
However, she said people often make a mistake.
"And there is a difference between something being criminal and
something being regrettable".
In his comments last week, Mr Clifford acknowledged the disservice done to
genuine victims of rape by false complaints.
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