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The
Sunday News
April 7, 1996
Rape Crisis in crisis of its own TV show affects fundraising
by Paulette Crowley
Rape Crisis is in crisis after fallout from televison's 60 Minutes
show last week, which showed a Hamilton
man falsely accused of rape.
Rape Crisis' national spokesperson, Toni Allwood, said next week was Rape
Awareness Week and many organisations would be postponing their street
appeals in light of the bad publicity.
"They can choose whether to go ahead with a street appeal or not, but I
personally think it might be wise for them to postpone it.
"But if they have the support of their community they may want to
challenge the misconceptions that arose from the 60 Minutes programme."
Allwood claimed she was a victim of unfair editing and her interview was
misrepresented.
Rape Crisis defended the alleged victim, and took out a court injunction to
prevent 60 Minutes from broadcasting her name. They say the girl, known only
as Wendy, was raped, even though she admitted she made it up and was
subsequently charged with giving a false statement.
Allwood said she had been accused of coming across as cold and indifferent
towards Nick Wills, the man falsely accused of rape, when she had expressed
sympathy for him.
60 Minutes producer Phil Wallington said the normal editorial process was
applied to Allwood's interview.
"Her interview was not cut in a way to give a false impression. It gave
a true impression of her statements and her mood.
"Overwhelmingly she wasn't interested in Nick. The problem is they (Rape
Crisis) can only see one form of oppression -- the oppression of women by
men. All women aren't saints and all men aren't rapist," said
Wallington.
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