Most important COTWA post in a long time

5th_Law_of_Robotics · 2013-11-11T20:49:22+00:00

I wish more people understood that distinction. Accusations should be investigated. They should not be assumed to be true.

cypher197 · 2013-11-11T21:00:04+00:00

A woman who cries rape has the right to be taken seriously; to be treated with respect; and to be supported if she avers that she is suffering trauma or other effects of sexual assault. A woman who cries rape does not have the right to be "believed."

That is... a very good way to put it.

As someone with MRA leanings, if a friend came to me and told me they had been raped, I would offer to render assistance. That is not the same as being required to believe all such claims uncritically.

jpflathead · 2013-11-11T20:51:38+00:00

For example, the fact that fear of not being believed is no longer a major reason for not reporting (see the testimony of the founder of RAINN on this point here). (http://www.tbd.com/blogs/amanda-hess/2010/09/uninvestigated-rapes-live-blogging-senate-hearing-on-rape-in-the-u-s--1734.html)

Is that linked correctly? I can't find what you seem to be indicating.

indpndnt · 2013-11-11T20:53:02+00:00

The point is really good, but I don't see the problem stemming from the right to be believed. I see it as coming more from the notion that the alleged victim must be believed.

In my view of rights, a "right to be believed" simply means that no one can prevent you from being believed by another person (which is sort of an abstract concept anyway..). For example, the right to life isn't a right that forces other people to sustain your life (in general), rather its a right that expresses that no one may infringe on your living.

I would also think that it's very important that we preserve the right of the accused to be believed that they are innocent. If the accused doesn't have a right to be believed, then we don't have an obligation to consider if they are innocent. If both sides have a right to be believed, then we must proceed with reason to decide which one is to be believed.

Like I said, I get your point and agree with it in general. I wish I had a catchier way to say what I said that is as snappy as "you have no right to be believed". Maybe something like "The presumption of innocence is not a denial of victim-hood."

Nomenimion · 2013-11-12T00:36:13+00:00

Rape accusations should only be taken seriously when they come from someone credible. These pseudophilic feminists should spend some time with Brian Banks; then they'll understand what it really means to be a victim.

Title	Most important COTWA post in a long time
Author	PierceHarlan
Upvotes	55
Comments	13
Date	November 11, 2013 6:50 PM UTC (12 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/1qe6f8/most_important_cotwa_post_in_a_long_time/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/most-important-cotwa-post-in-a-long-time.1159075 https://theredarchive.com/post/1159075

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