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The Dominion Post
January 22, 2004
Misandry the cause?
Letter to
the Editor
By Jonathon Harper
I found Victoria
University
criminologist Jan Jordan's article about false accusations of rape to be, in
part, emotive, biased and rhetorical (Features, Jan 15).
It made some fair points, but I would describe some of it as misandry. It
contained no concession to the fact that some rape allegations are malicious.
I can quote several cases where those alleging rape admitted the reason for
their allegations.
I saw one such case first-hand in court. I readily acknowledge that reporting
a real rape can be a negative experience and difficult to prove in a court of
law. Indeed, many false allegations are probably due to psychological
difficulties.
However, I would have thought a criminologist could figure out that knowingly
making false allegations that can ruin much of the victim's life is
reprehensible, whatever the excuse.
That some might not know what misandry (or androphoby) is might indicate a
one-sided view of sexual relationships (it is the gender opposite of
misogyny).
I expect a more sober, impartial, balanced and evidence-based analysis from a
senior university lecturer.
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