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Aneirin -> RE: Man arrested for being naked in own kitchen (11/3/2009 4:20:49 AM)
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I understand that, but, is it fair ?
I take for example the many instances of so called date rape that occurred in this country some years ago, the accused's name, photograph and any details that could be dug up, including where they came from, their family etc was blasted all over the news as the investigation went on. Now the accuser was kept secret, nowhere were her details released, she was invisible to the eyes of the world. Everywhere the accused went, he received the comments and sly looks from everyone who recognised him, in some cases, he was attacked by self righteous individuals who drew their own conclusions. Many of these accused lost their jobs, and their social lives, they were effectively, hung, drawn and quartered in the eyes of the public, guilty as sin and deserved everything they got. To note, the case had not even gone to court yet. In some cases if it went to court, and it was discovered both parties were drunk, then rape was questionable, but often the case did not go to court, the accuser withdrew their complaint for reasons unknown.
But, the damage was done, the accused had had their life ruined, no conviction, but in the eyes of the public, shit sticks, tell me, that is fair ?
I worked with such a chap, I saw what happened to him, he from a normal lad amongst lads turned into a bitter shell, he kept away from women and from being the party animal before the accusation, he retreated into himself, never going out, no socialising with anyone. Now, where I worked and lived, there was a bar there, for the workers, he drank there, and drank to excess, he became drunk all the time and eventually after a lot of trouble, lost his job and disappeared. What happened to him, well, we all knew roughly who the accuser was,stopped many of us, many of us gave up the hunt on a friday and saturday night, just not worth it, as it was too easy for events to be made something else, and when the drink is in, the sense is out, with both people concerned, but it really scared what one person can do on a word, we seen the effects and I for one was not going down that route.
So, what I am saying here, is if there is to be an accused, then let that person have the anonymity the accuser has on the run up to any lawful action, the court. If found guilty, then by all means report the fact, but if not found guilty, preserve the anonymity, as it is often not what the law does that is the damage, it being supposedly fair and all that, but it is what happens in the public eye that is the damage to a person.
So, in this case, the chap in the window, making a brew in the buff, his details are known, he has not been tried in a court of law, and he has not been convicted of a crime, but in the public eye, and may I add more or less world wide now, people have drawn their own conclusions, just ask yourself, what it is like to be in his shoes at the moment, is he getting on with life as though nothing has happened, people saying hello to him in the street etc, his normal existence, or has things changed for him, has he been labelled something based upon the hue and the cry, the public perception and judgement. Is his life going to be the same again, or has it effectively been ruined. If this does go to court, and he is found guilty, then maybe he deserves what he gets, but if it doesn't go to court, or he is not found guilty what then, back to life as it was before ?
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