APPENDIX 10
Memorandum submitted by False Allegations
Support Organisation (FASO)
Within this organization we hear of instances
whereby the work of the media in "Naming and shaming"
has caused distress to not only the person on trial, but the immediate
family, which includes both children and vulnerable adults i.e.
those adults with special needs. Even many years afterward, those
accused but found not guilty suffer from the stigmatization of
the accusation, and cannot get their lives back on track.
These children and special needs adults who
are aware that their parent has not committed this type of crime
are therefore abused by the media and legislation. It can go as
far as having the Social Services taking the child/ren away from
the home. The wife then has to choose between her child/ren or
husband, in order to stay away from media attention and keep her
children. All this whilst the trial continues. Some examples:
One of the Scot's members referred me to the
following Scots Newspaper, The Daily Record of Tuesday
11 March 2003 HEADLINES, Wednesday 12 March 2003 page 21 regarding
the Taylor family. As I understand it (I am awaiting the copy)
after three years of publicity and horror, including local ostracism
they were found not guilty, and the perpetrator was then "named
and shamed". The horrific part is the fact that the 10-year-old
boy was found to have a noose under his bed, ready to use.
My personal experience with a special needs adult
is also horrific especially knowing her father was innocent. However,
just after the Sarah Payne trial, Roger was tried and found guilty
and the media turned him into the Welsh paedophile. Lisa (aged
32) insisted in going to court, on the final day. When this happened,
as she cannot control her emotions, she tried to climb into the
prisoners' box and cling on to him when he was found guilty. She
was wrested from him by the police families' liaison officer,
she kept hitting her head against the court walls (she does this
in moments of extreme stress) as she was pulled to a waiting car.
She and I then had seven months of "pure hell" with
her, until her father, my husband's release.
These type of events suggest that individuals
may not get a fair trial because of the media hype. If there were
anonymity from the moment of arrest until sentencing, the local
population and news media would then not pillory individuals and
put the families, of those accused, lives in danger.
Those who might be called will not give evidence,
either at the time of trial or afterward as they will "seem"
to be assisting a known paedophile (mud sticks). Therefore when
those going for leave of appeal cannot get any evidence from those
who have it.
I hope the above is of help. I do hold a disturbing
letter from someone accused many years ago, which gives an indication
of his state of mind, due to the false accusations. Others are
also currently trying to fight against the stigmatization of false
allegations whilst others endeavour to obtain leave to appeal.
March 2003
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