For the record, I was once accused of inappropriately touching children when I was 19. I was fired from my job in teaching children, threatened by the business owner that she would make sure I will never be around children ever again, rumors spread, I was shunned for a few months, and then the accusations died when discovered there was no merit to it. I was able to work again in my field in spite of being reviled by a good portion of members of a community for a few months.
I was also raped.
The difference in social consequence between the two and the amount of suffering in comparison is distinct. I will suggest there is some suffering in reputation from the false accusation. It is nowhere near to the suffering and recovery as a result of being brutally raped and left by the side of the road to die.
I disagree therefore that a false rape accusation ruins a persons life, and I also disagree that a false rape accusation is just as harsh as actually being raped. They are not the same.
I was also raped.
The difference in social consequence between the two and the amount of suffering in comparison is distinct. I will suggest there is some suffering in reputation from the false accusation. It is nowhere near to the suffering and recovery as a result of being brutally raped and left by the side of the road to die.
I disagree therefore that a false rape accusation ruins a persons life, and I also disagree that a false rape accusation is just as harsh as actually being raped. They are not the same.