False Accusations of Prostitution, Sex Crimes Destroy the Innocent
Posted on March 28, 2008
Filed Under Assault, Criminal Law, Felonies, Law, Sex Offenders, Sexual Harassment |
A comment to our March 25 post, NY Prostitution Scandal Reveals Seamy Sex Politics, points out the power that sexual accusation has to destroy careers and personal credibility.
Reader Tomas objected to our reference to former U.S. Senator Gary Hart saying, “He was never even accused of a criminal act (if there was a criminal act, it was on the part of the reporters spying on him and invading his privacy.) Nor was anything ever proved.”
Senator Hart was the clear frontrunner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination when rumors surfaced of an extramarital affair with model Donna Rice. The press ran photos of Rice sitting on Hart’s lap and dogged him with questions about infidelity. His wife, Lee, stood by him, saying the relationship was innocent. (Though they have separated twice over the years, the Harts have now been married for nearly 50 years.) Crucified in the press, the Hart-Rice sex scandal forced a bitter Hart to drop out of the presidential race. He returned to the practice of law; and while moderately active in politics, never again run for elected public office.
It does not take a charge or conviction to destroy a person’s reputation. Just the accusation of sexual impropriety, prostitution or misconduct is enough to destroy politicians, business leaders, respected community leaders, teachers, Scoutmasters and ministers. Charges may be false but the damage to reputations, careers and social standings will have been done.
Tragedies don’t just happen in the national arena. Sexual rumors in local communities can destroy community leaders and cause their families great emotional pain. An angry teen may accuse a parent of abuse. A confused child may misinterpret an adult’s gesture of comfort. A jilted lover may accuse her partner in consensual sex of rape.
In America we are quick to condemn when charges of prostitution or sexual misconduct are levied. The press is quick to publish the accusations and charges. However, if charges are false and the accused is exonerated, the press is, too often, nowhere to be seen. The stench of the accusation may follow the innocent individual for the rest of his life.
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