False rape allegations aren't so rare

To return just briefly to that meta-analysis of statistical studies which relied mainly upon cases where police found "strong evidential grounds" for false allegations. The police have a huge disincentive to identify and confirm such grounds because they appear to be under instructions not to take action over false allegations. I'd long heard from families of accused men and also from police about these instructions. Lo and behold, I recently received proof in the form of a case note from the NSW Police Force referring to this standard operating procedure in a case where no action was taken with a likely false accuser. Here it is…

Here we have a case which apparently fell apart, where the police were left unsure if the whole thing was "completely fabricated". But they followed orders not to properly determine whether there were the required "strong evidential grounds" to charge the woman. Another man and his family, put through the horror of a possible rape trial, the public humiliation, shaming, the financial stress of seeking legal help. Another woman gets off scot-free.

We're keen to put together some sort of seminar or public forum involving criminal lawyers, police, policy makers and affected families, to properly address the issue of false allegations of sexual assault. It is vital our community is educated about the misinformation jeopardising fair trials for the accused and allowing malicious false allegations to go unpunished. Please contact me if you know of influential people who could make this happen or would like to be involved in any way.