There have been a string of failed prosecutions for rape in the UK that have collapsed because the police failed to disclose evidence to the defence that proved beyond all reasonable doubt that the woman had consented. Mainly posts after the event on social media.
Under UK law the accused is identified but the alleged victim has anonymity: even after the case has collapsed. In some cases it took two years for the case to be dismissed. Not hard to imagine what the accused went through in the meantime.
Yes, rape is an appalling crime, and should be prosecuted. But some women lie. The fundamental principle of innocent until proven guilty should still apply. At the moment, at least in the UK, there seems to be a presumption that if rape is alleged a crime was commited: to the extent the police will bend the rules of evidence to secure a prosecution.
This attitude extends (at least in my industry) to the response to claims of sexual harassment in the workplace. You have to prove you didn’t do it, the presumption is you did.
So maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. But if he didn’t, does he deserve the treatment he is getting?
The pendulum has swung to far in favour of the woman.