it should be ok to tell the public about a Clay County political figure that raped me 30 years ago along with his friend, but because of power and money..and the fact that it was 30 years ago I felt I could do nothing then. Now one of them is covering up a sexual assault that happened to his grandson and is forking out the big bucks and using his pull at the court house to protect his family "name" and could careless to the fact that his grandson was sodomized for years. So don't you think it is ok that I let the public know just how terrible these rich bas*ards are? Or will that still be considered slander?
2007-09-26 08:57:43 · 18 answers · asked by neversaynever 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
this was in MO and 30years ago things were different. But the suffering is the same. Now that I heard about the grandson, it just stirred the pot.
2007-09-26 09:15:21 · update #1
forgot to mention the fact that when I was raped, I was 17 and they were 26.
2007-09-26 09:17:32 · update #2
The unfortunate reality is that this would be a "he said / she said" type of situation. It is pretty tough to prove an allegation this many years after the fact, and you will be exposed to public scrutiny, you will be called a liar, and asked why you have kept quiet about the alleged offence. Before you do or say anything, talk to the prosecutor's office. If they decide there is anything they can use, they will, if you just go public, you will be sued, and likely lose.
2007-09-26 09:19:15 · answer #1 · answered by Fred C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your definition of slander is wrong...slander is not stating a fact about someone in public..if it's a fact, it's truth and therefore not slander.
Slander/Libel are defamation torts---There are several elements you have to prove to recover under each but for the most part, truth is an absolute defense. In some cases, it may even be the burden on the plaintiff to prove initially that the statement/writing is not true to proceed to prove the other elements.
If what you say is true, it's not slander. The interesting part is that if this person is a public official, they also have to prove the additional elements that not only what you said is not true but that the statement was made maliciously or intentionally, which is very hard to prove.
2007-10-04 04:47:51 · answer #2 · answered by darshunk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I commend your strength in wanting to come forward. Just remember this--you may be enduring media attention you don't want. Think about all of the sex and rape scandals among powerful men that have happened lately. The victims often have to endure slander themselves! They will say it was consentual, that you are a s__t, and more ugliness. They'll find people who know you who you think are your friends, and they'll pay them off to lie about you.
I say this not because I wish to be hurtful, or that I want you to avoid doing it, but because you need to be appraised of the potential pain these men will submit you to all over again. I'm so sorry you've been treated like you have. I wish you strength and good luck.
2007-09-26 09:10:26 · answer #3 · answered by average person Violated 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd think about this one very seriously.
We know they have money. We know they have influence. We know it happend a long time ago.
What I'd expect them to do is make your life pure hell. They'll hire a squad of attorneys, one will say it never happened, another will say it was so long ago no one remembers anything, another will claim that you tried to extort money from this person and are making a bogus claim because he wouldn't pay, and still another will probably claim you were a paid prostitute.
I'm not advising you to do or not do this, but go into it with your eyes wide open. I expect it's gonna get really ugly.
Did I mention you probably want to have a lawyer first? I think you probably do.
2007-09-26 09:10:51 · answer #4 · answered by open4one 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check the laws in your state. I think you have surpassed the statute of limitations for reporting it. Since you didn't report it back when it happened you have no proof (unless you want to the hospital and had a rape kit done, but didn't say who did it.) Since you have no proof that it occurred, you would be committing slander in the eyes of the law. With this sensitive of an issue you may be able to get around it, but I doubt it.
2007-09-26 09:07:32 · answer #5 · answered by buggerhead 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, this is a great opportunity to serve another's well-being. You might be the only one who can protect the grandson and help him begin to heal. He is the one who needs YOU...if you enjoy the revenge, in the meantime, that is just "icing on the cake". Do it...they won't spend the money to sue you.
2007-09-26 09:08:22 · answer #6 · answered by ArRo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should be ok, and you might not get sued for slander, but I would contact a lawyer that specializes in childhood sexual abuse cases brought in adulthood (someone who deals with clergy sex abuses cases would also be a good idea). It's better to have the attorney review it and make sure you won't get in trouble for slander.
2007-09-26 10:45:18 · answer #7 · answered by Hillary 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it would make a great novel (with names changed to protect the not-so-innocent).
Many newspapers are experts in defending against libel, slander and defamation. You might get in touch with a local newspaper to see if they might want to run a story under someone else's by-line and agree (in writing) to cover all your legal expenses in the event of lawsuit.
2007-09-26 09:14:19 · answer #8 · answered by BruceN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clay County WV no surprise to hear that from that area I have relatives from there and they all insane, and haven't helped me in life at all but did benefit a lot from me.
One died recently thank god she was stealing from the family and she is dead,
oddly they placed a 200 pound woman on a porch that was rickety and with a 100 pound bench and yeap she fell throw and got an infection and died.
Why would you place a person with brain cancer in that situation unless you wanted them to die.
2007-09-26 09:07:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
So you get sued for slander what are they going to take? Place all you belongings in a parents name and go for it.
In addition to get you on slander they will have to go to court and air dirty laundry. Not what they want to do. if this is true you should say something.
Remember people will call you a liar; just stick to your guns.
2007-09-26 09:03:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋