# The penalty for making a false allegation of rape? £200 **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 11, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896 "2018-06-11T17:19:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/1 "2018-06-11T17:19:23Z")
What the blazes was the Court thinking? Metro article [here](https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/10/teenager-fined-200-lied-ex-boyfriend-raping-7619473/). > [@](#): > > A teenager who claimed her ex-boyfriend drugged and raped her when he refused to rekindle their romance has been ordered to pay £200… A man’s life nearly ruined and she only gets a fine of £200? (And up to 15 days doing [del]f\*\*\* all[/del] ‘rehabilitation activity requirement’ and a 4 month suspended sentence - both of which are pretty meaningless.) Nearly ruin a man’s life for £200? Wow. The deterrent effect of this will be nil. If the man had been convicted, how many women would be satisfied with a £200 fine and a suspended sentence? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/2 "2018-06-11T17:32:15Z")
There’s an implication here, especially in your final sentence, that a false accusation of rape is equivalent to an actual rape. Is that something you genuinely believe? If not, what do you think should be the correct minimum punishment for a false accusation of rape? Remember, this is one that involved a teenager with no previous record and that was recanted quickly–it looks to me like it was recanted within 24 hours. Absolutely such accusations should incur penalties. I’m not sure what size penalty is appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/3 "2018-06-11T17:38:04Z")
Well, he has a good case to build a civil suit on. That will surely cost her more than £200. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/4 "2018-06-11T17:44:27Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > There’s an implication here, especially in your final sentence, that a false accusation of rape is equivalent to an actual rape. Is that something you genuinely believe? If not, what do you think should be the correct minimum punishment for a false accusation of rape? I’m no woman hating woman hater but I have to admit, I do think that the crime of falsely crying rape is not treated seriously enough. What is an appropriate punishment? I’m not sure. But it is a heinous crime with some awful consequences for the victim and far too often it seems that the accuser gets barely a slap on the wrist. That girl would have suffered far more serious punishments if she had committed what I would consider to be far lesser crimes, if there is sliding scale of crimes then false rape cries are currently in the wrong place on that scale. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/5 "2018-06-11T17:49:23Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Remember, this is one that involved a teenager with no previous record and that was recanted quickly Indeed: > [@linked article](#): > > Prosecutor Ryan Seneviratine said: ‘Miss Sandover is extremely lucky that she didn’t get charged with perverting the course of justice, only due to her age and the fact she has no previous convictions. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/6 "2018-06-11T17:53:24Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > There’s an implication here, especially in your final sentence, that a false accusation of rape is equivalent to an actual rape. Is that something you genuinely believe? I think it’s on the same level with an _attempted_ rape. The consequences of a false conviction could be on the order of magnitude of a decade in jail. By lying, you’re conspiring to have that person kidnapped and confined for 10 or so years, and if you did that with a gun on your own instead of with the law, you’d be looking at at least as long a sentence as you would for a sexual assault that did not involve attempted murder. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/7 "2018-06-11T17:59:44Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Well, he has a good case to build a civil suit on. That will surely cost her more than £200. She is 18. Probably not wealthy. I am guessing she is judgement proof. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/8 "2018-06-11T18:10:54Z")
It’s impossible to address this issue with thought and concern when it’s framed as being an analog to rape itself. You’ve poisoned the well in your own OP. If the crime is serious, then let’s talk about that, instead of whinging about how women have it so much better then men because rapists get stronger convictions than false accusers. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/9 "2018-06-11T18:16:27Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > It’s impossible to address this issue with thought and concern when it’s framed as being an analog to rape itself. You’ve poisoned the well in your own OP. > > If the crime is serious, then let’s talk about that, instead of whinging about how women have it so much better then men because rapists get stronger convictions than false accusers. This is a really good way to put it. I certainly think that a 200-pound penalty is real low for something like this–but wrapping my brain around treating it as equivalent to rape is so bizarre that it’s hard to think about what an appropriate penalty would be in a rational manner. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/10 "2018-06-11T18:21:38Z")
What does £200 come out to in real money? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/11 "2018-06-11T18:26:02Z")
If only the OP was equally concerned with all of the unreported rape and sexual abuse in this world. But no, the relatively rare crime of false accusation is the greatest outrage evah!!! ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/12 "2018-06-11T18:28:20Z")
I’m starting to think **Quartz** has only three topics in him: 1. Trump is being treated unfairly 2. Why are American standards of service so poor 3. Why men should be suspicious of women ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/13 "2018-06-11T18:33:11Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > What does £200 come out to in real money? About €227. Or it is 227€? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/14 "2018-06-11T18:55:58Z")
Meh. She is 17. She is stupid She recanted PDQ. Pled guilty at earliest opportunity. Yeah, if I was the judge, I’d probably have awarded her some sort of custodial sentence ( a few weeks), but there is nothing in the record to suggest that the judgement is perverse. Its within the law and discretion of the judge and a decision that a reasonable Tribunal could have reached, ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/15 "2018-06-11T18:58:30Z")
Let us not forget that the victim is not limited to only the court’s decision. He has civil options, I’m sure, if he wishes to pursue them. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/16 "2018-06-11T18:58:45Z")
Can we recall the judge? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/17 "2018-06-11T19:02:17Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I’m starting to think **Quartz** has only three topics in him: > > 1. Trump is being treated unfairly > 2. Why are American standards of service so poor > 3. Why men should be suspicious of women A Stormy Daniels thread could cover all three. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/18 "2018-06-11T19:06:33Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Can we recall the judge? Well, maybe the Brits can. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/19 "2018-06-11T19:13:04Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Let us not forget that the victim is not limited to only the court’s decision. He has civil options, I’m sure, if he wishes to pursue them. In England civil claim after a criminal conviction are limited in scope. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896/20 "2018-06-11T19:24:08Z")
As a matter of principle, should a false accusation of a crime carry similar consequences to the crime itself? I’d argue that it should. If someone is convicted of a crime, then they will have to pay some consequence that we as a society have chosen. If we’ve done that part right, then the consequence paid should be of a comparable severity to the crime itself. And if a person falsely accuses another of a crime, then they’re trying to cause someone else to suffer something unjustly. And so the punishment for that should be comparable to the suffering they were trying to inflict. That said, if the justice system works properly, then convictions for false accusation would be fairly rare, because it’s a very difficult crime to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s not enough to just find the originally-accused party not guilty, because the burden of proof is different. And even if you can show beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused did not commit the original crime, the accuser could still argue that they reasonably believed the accusation to be truthful, which would also be a difficult defense to overcome. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-penalty-for-making-a-false-allegation-of-rape-200/815896.md?page=2)