Right now it's popular to talk about how horrible our culture is – how we live in a ‘rape culture.' Now, I admit that our society has taken a turn for the worse when it comes to morality. But, I don't think we live in a ‘rape culture.' In fact, I see a criminal justice system in Denver, Arapahoe, and Jefferson County where people can get sent to prison indeterminately based on the word of one person with no physical evidence. This is because there is so much hype and media coverage surrounding our so-called rape culture, that our society believes accusations without question. A perfect example is a recent Rolling Stone article based on one woman's story of a violent rape at a fraternity that has since been discredited. Let's take a look at this ‘journalistic failure,' and how the media affects Sexual Assault cases.

Rolling Stone Fraternity Rape Article Discredited

Many of the facts in the article were never checked, or entirely wrong.

I don't know if you saw it, but last year Rolling Stone published a story entitled “A Rape on Campus” about a young woman who was allegedly violently gang raped during a fraternity party at a university. It also went into great detail about the hidden culture of sexual violence at the school. The article was specific – even mentioning that the alleged victim's friends discouraged her to report the rape (even though she was bruised and bloodied), which further illustrated the college's ‘rape culture.' Many people read the article and took it as fact. People were outraged. The only thing was – there wasn't any evidence, and many facts were never checked, or were wrong entirely. Several news outlets did some fact checking of their own, and found the author of the story had agreed to not contact the men who allegedly committed the rape. Also, the friends who allegedly discouraged her from calling the police spoke up and denied this story. In the end, Rolling Stone retracted the article and apologized for the lack of good reporting and fact checking.

Victims are Believed without Question

There doesn't have to be any physical evidence for a conviction.

As an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Douglas, Broomfield, and Adams County, I have learned that alleged victims of rape / sexual assault are believed, often without question. Police will file charges on the word of a woman alone – neglecting what her motives might be. There doesn't have to be any physical evidence for a conviction. This is exactly what happened with the Rolling Stone article. The author later admitted she was “too accommodating” to requests from the “rape victim” the story was based on (who didn't want them to fact check), because “she was a rape victim.” Instead of for evidence, they defamed the name and reputation of an entire college and fraternity.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Rape Accusations

If you have been accused of rape and accused or charged with Sexual Assault, it is important to understand just how vital it is to work with a skilled Denver criminal defense lawyer. Our society believes we live in a rape culture. They believe alleged victims without question. And, they've likely seen your mug shot plastered across social media and the news. These are the people that will be prosecuting your case. These are the people who will be on the jury at your trial. You need someone on your side in the courtroom – someone who will gather evidence and prove your innocence. Fight for justice and fight to protect your freedom.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Sexual Assault after a rape accusation, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.