Web Site Allows Rape Victims To Identify Alleged Attackers

[The Straight Story]

Web Site Allows Rape Victims To Identify Alleged Attackers
Monday, May 18, 2009 6:08 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police, residents and prosecutors are considering the pros and cons of a new Web site that gives rape victims a forum to post information about their alleged attackers, 10TV's Lindsey Seavert reported on Monday.

Signs that encourage victims to expose their attackers can be found in the Short North. In bold print the flyers read, "Expose your rapist."

The flyers direct people to a Web site where they can list details about their attacker, including their name, Seavert reported.

The Web site has gotten the attention of Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien, whose office currently runs a victim's advocate program.

O'Brien believes the forum could be of help as it gives police a possible tool in serial rape cases.

"That kind of thing posted there may allow law enforcement a follow up," O'Brien said.

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2009/05/18/story_web_site.html?sid=102

[bunnies]

1. "Alleged"

wow.

[cherokeeprogressive]

4. No kidding. Don't piss off your wife or girlfriend if you're ever in Columbus, OH! n/t

[bunnies]

12. I know some women who would nothing of doing something like that.

Cheat on ME?!... I'll show you!!! :scared:

[regnaD kciN]

9. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen...

...the minute someone posts a false accusation.

[bunnies]

11. totally.

Its a fine idea in theory but... :wow: ridiculous in practice.

[DJ13]

2. I predict that website will be sued out of existence in a year

Identify someone who can prove they werent the person who did it, and you have a lawyers wet dream.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Is it called "codefendent" dot org?

[yella_dawg]

5. Excellent!

Because we know everything posted on the web is absolutely factual and the net has never been used for unethical or legally questionable purposes.

[bluestateguy]

6. All fine and good, until somebody is falsely accused

If someone is falsely accused, the wesbite will be sued and likely end up shutting down.

But I have no sympathy for anyone who is outed who actaully is a rapist.

[Mythsaje]

7. This could get really bad really quick.

I'm all for getting the rapists, but it's a libel lawyer's wet dream.

[riverdeep]

8. The point of this is a law enforcement tool?

Why don't they just improve their database possibilities? I don't see this ending well.

[Political Tiger]

10. I can see how this could really be abused.

Say a girlfriend finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her and she wants revenge so she posts his picture on the site or a couple is going through a bitter divorce and the wife wants to get one up on the soon to be ex.

[Journeyman]

13. As Gary Larson's "Farside" would have it, "Uh, oh -- trouble brewing" . . .