09/19/2011
Online Registry Targets False Accusers
HOUSTON - Register-her.com, a public service website, has launched providing a registry of individuals proven to make false allegations of rape and other crimes. The site creators cite the following:
A study in 1994 by Dr. Eugene Kanin of Purdue University concluded that 41% of rape allegations in America are fabricated.[1 (PDF)] Kanin's study covered a 9 year period and was conducted with the cooperation of civic government.
The Orlando Police Department made an appeal for false rape allegations to stop because they were putting a stress on police resources and creating a climate of undue fear.[2]
The Baltimore Police Department reported that 30% of rape reports received proved to be false.[3]
The Innocence Project reports that the primary crime for which they secure the release of wrongfully convicted individuals is rape.[4] 153 of 268 exonerations, 57.1%, noted by the Innocence Project, were convictions for rape.
"When someone is falsely accused of rape the consequences are swift and severe," says Dr Tara Palmatier, a clinical psychologist who has counseled victims of false allegations.
"Some of my clients have lost their jobs, homes and good reputations," she adds. "When allegations are proven false, it's far too late. The damage has already been done. For the accuser there is rarely any downside risk."
Frequently the false accusers are not jailed. Many are referred to counseling, community service or probation. [5][6][7][8].
The consequences for those accused are severe; resulting in false imprisonment, damaged reputations, financial devastation, loss of employment and even suicide.[9][10][11] Dalton, Georgia police officer Paul Sparks killed himself after a rape allegation which had no merit. Student Olumide Fadayomi attempted suicide after being falsely accused of rape, and another student, accused by the same woman, succeeded in taking his own life.
"This kind of public service is long overdue." says Register-her.com spokesman Paul Elam (A Voice For Men), who added, "The devastation of these acts continues long after the allegations are disproven."
Register-her.com is a public service provided to heighten awareness of the false allegation problem and to publicly register individuals known to have made false criminal complaints. For more information contact Candice Howe at 832-506-4578, or by email at Candice.howe@register-her.com.
