Speaking publicly about rape, if the rapist was "not guilty"?

[sarahkenna13]

I was raped when I was in high school by my stepfather. I reported the incident, went to court, and he was found not guilty. I want to share my story with other survivors. But i am afraid if I post anything on my blog or otherwise publish my experience, I could get sued for libel because he is "not guilty.". How do these laws work in this type of situation?

 

[shrinkmaster]

You cannot make false statements about anyone. Since he was found not guilty you could find yourself in a legal bind. However you could likely speakon the issue without naming him or who he was to you.

 

[Proserpina]

I don't recommend that course of action, either.

The arrest record is public record, if nothing else - if the author is identifiable, it may not be difficult for her stepfather to draw an obvious conclusion that it is in fact himself being referenced to.

The only thing I would suggest is writing down what it is you wish to publish, and running it by a defamation attorney before you actually publish it anywhere.

Delaware does recognize defamation per se, which means that he would not need to prove tangible damages in order for a judgment to be awarded in his favor.

Tread carefully OP.

 

[Proserpina]

Erin, I've also sent a note to you privately.

Please don't respond to old threads unless you have new or relevant information.

If you have a legal question of your own, please feel free to start your own thread.

Thanks!

 

[army judge]

Erin, I've also sent a note to you privately.

Please don't respond to old threads unless you have new or relevant information.

If you have a legal question of your own, please feel free to start your own thread.

Thanks!

That THING was a spammer!

I've permanently dispatched it!

I've found that spammers use any thread to grow their post count, then WHAM, out comes their advertisement and link to their scamming website!

 

[Proserpina]

Darn it...I'd hoped it wasn't.

Thanks, AJ.

These auto-register programs are getting that much cleverer