I think it’s important to make a distinction when the details that are misleading or confused involve who the perpetrator was. Some victims, particularly children, can be manipulated by either their aggressors (or a third party) into mis-remembering who actually harmed them.

Jia, I really respect you as a writer, and I liked this essay.

The sentiments regarding “allegation as fact” are what I came here to write about. Thank you for doing this heavy lifting. I have been caught in this blast on more than one occasion “why are you not believing the victims” and have found it rather difficult to bear. You have pretty much captured my feelings on the…

This is a fascinating perspective, and obviously I’m coming from the issue from a different place as a white, privileged woman. I wish there were a middle ground - a way to offer our support and help to the alleged victim without immediately crucifying the alleged rapist - but we haven’t found it yet. I’m just hoping…

I think this comment highlights how influential intersectionality is. The fact that both “sides” are right here makes the discussion a bit murky at times but I think that further reinforces the importance of having a wider discussion about rape allegations — specifically one that includes and addresses the influence…

I don’t think that the writer was trying to say any allegations are fact or that false rape claims aren’t real/ don't really happen, but (as a feminist) I agree that all rape allegations should be thoroughly investigated, because that can help both sides of the issue — if rape accusations are taken more seriously,…

You might want to read the amazing piece that came out about Woody Allen not too long ago—“Woody Allen’s Good Name”—that speaks directly to this idea.

Thanks, this confirms what I suspected. That even the “false” reports rate we see is overinflated.

I’m not sure most “false rape” claims would necessarily be vindictive, but certainly there is the concern (as in To Kill a Mockingbird) that a rape claim is created to cover up a transgression — surrendering one’s virginity before marriage, covering up a marital/relationship indiscretion, avoiding a cultural “taboo”…

We always seem to present things as “innocent until proven guilty” vs “believe the victim”, but that’s really a false dichotomy. I have no problem with our judicial system setting a high bar for conviction, even in cases of rape/sexual assault. What I have issue with is that so few reports are even taken seriously…

I think the death penalty should be overturned. Too many innocent people have been put there especially people of color or poor. I look at the Innocent Project and how many people they helped.

Eh. This is one issue where I diverge greatly from feminists on, probably due to my ethnicity. As a black man in America, I just can’t be so dismissive of the the existence of false allegations of rape and the impact that they have when they occur. Many an African-American man in the early-mid 20th century ended up…

I was happy to give her an enormous amount of decision making just as a gift

Sleeper was genuinely hilarious, but that was way back in 1973. Just about everything after that has been the old guy unsatisfied yada yada yada.

I think it would be great if they were required too. Schools shouldnt be handling criminal matters.

They’re all the same, anyway. Just the same shit over and over and over and over.

What kind of fucking self-centered weirdo does that?

Reminds me of another creep who’s been in the media lately.

Fuck off, Woody.