you think women would be more likely to accuse someone of rape if they thought that person was gonna get 14 yrs in prison, but won't do it now because they'd only get a short sentence?
i think if a woman is gonna lie about rape then she's gonna do it anyway, regardless of sentence. if anything i think i higher sentence for the guy would be more likely to discourtage her than encourage her
it's not like most rape cases are bullshit anyway - it's attitudes like that that stop a lot of women going to the police when they have actually been raped
There are two points of view on the matter at least. The fact is, for a man to protect himself from a malicious allegation and all the nonsense it may bring, they would have to take ridiculous steps when having sex. 14 years is far more scary for blokes, bear in mind that this is one year away from murder.
clear-cut cases of rape should be punished properly
The reason that only 1 in 20 cases succeed is that lots of "his word against hers" cases appear in the UK courts. If only clear cut or near clear cut cases were prosecuted, then I might support higher sentences. As it stands, the system makes it too likely a man can be wrongly convicted of rape.
OMG, You make it look as if having sex for men is almost as dangerous as getting on an airplane while telling that you've got a bomb with you.
It's quite simple in a way, mutual consent and mutual respect. That does not suffice for great sex, but it does suffice for sex without being charged with rape afterwards.
Not in this country it doesn't, if a woman says that you raped them, then it can go to court, often with disregard of the rest of the evidence. Being acquitted isn't much good if your reputation is already in tatters as a result (the lopsided laws protect just the women involved, not the men from identification).
There will always happen huge mistakes in a legal system. People will be accused falsely, and people will be not believed, when coming with genuine allegations of rape. Shit like that does happen. And it should be taken serious. Horrid things do happen. People can get stuck in legal systems in a very unfair way.
On the bright side, most people are not dangerous when it is about sex. But most people are good people, and for most, sex will not end at the policestation. And that is why I think those ridiculous steps are not needed. No need to bring a contract and a disclaimer everytime you ask a girl out for a drink.