(Above) Composite drawing of the alleged suspects.
Columns: What Can We Learn From Bogus Sexual Assault Allegations?
Posted on 31 July 2012
By Ken Herar. As of last week, the truth has come out regarding the sexual assault allegation
that was reported last February against a 19-year-old female in
Abbotsford. It’s very unfortunate that our local community had to fear
that two individuals were on the loose due to these false allegations.
The 19-year-old victim said she was walking along the sidewalk at about 7 p.m.
when she saw a newer-model white pickup truck pass her twice as she headed
east toward a bus stop.
Two South Asian men allegedly were inside the vehicle. As the woman approached
the intersection, the male passenger exited the truck, grabbed the victim
and pushed her into the rear seat of the truck. The driver parked the
vehicle a short distance away and both men sexually assaulted her. She
was then pushed out of the truck and onto the ground in a parking lot
in the area of Gladys Avenue.
The Abbotsford Police issued a statement last week reporting that this
story told by this young woman was not true. I wrote a column earlier
this year on this story urging people with any information or
knowledge of these suspects to come forward for the public safety of
our community.
This is part of what I expressed in my column on Feb 23rd.
“I’ve been hearing various comments over this past week regarding this
incident. Many have been very supportive regarding what this woman has
endured, however, others people’s comments have the potential to
divide the community. Here is what one person said on Facebook: “Time
to start deporting these people that are not born in Canada & strip
them of Canadian citizenship or send them to jail for 99 years if born
here.” I responded with this: That’s a pretty racist remark to make.
Sorry to say. Not everyone of color is always an immigrant or a
criminal. Think about it. At the end of the day, there are good and
bad in all races. When we speak about diversity, one of the things we have
in common is that we all stand up against those who commit criminal
acts and believe in public safety.”
It’s very unfortunate that our local community had to fear that two
individuals were on the loose due to these false allegations. I know
people are stating that this young woman needs to be punished and
charged. Lets remove ourselves from these negative feelings. First of
all, the Abbotsford Police did a tremendous job in investigating and
being diligent in trying to find these suspects. Our diverse
population, including the South Asian community stepped forward to
lend their support to locate these suspects.
We may never understand the reason why this young woman did what she
did in making up this story or why she felt the need to accuse South
Asian men as being the culprits. I recall a time in 1989 of a similar
case where a young woman accused a South Asian man for attacking her
in Abbotsford and it turned out to be false. Being a brown person, I
can say it was not a very nice feeling listening to some of the
comments and assumptions.
I hope this individual receives the help she needs.
False accusations against a certain race or culture can hurt and
divide an entire community.
The 19-year-old victim said she was walking along the sidewalk at about 7 p.m.
when she saw a newer-model white pickup truck pass her twice as she headed
east toward a bus stop.
Two South Asian men allegedly were inside the vehicle. As the woman approached
the intersection, the male passenger exited the truck, grabbed the victim
and pushed her into the rear seat of the truck. The driver parked the
vehicle a short distance away and both men sexually assaulted her. She
was then pushed out of the truck and onto the ground in a parking lot
in the area of Gladys Avenue.
The Abbotsford Police issued a statement last week reporting that this
story told by this young woman was not true. I wrote a column earlier
this year on this story urging people with any information or
knowledge of these suspects to come forward for the public safety of
our community.
This is part of what I expressed in my column on Feb 23rd.
“I’ve been hearing various comments over this past week regarding this
incident. Many have been very supportive regarding what this woman has
endured, however, others people’s comments have the potential to
divide the community. Here is what one person said on Facebook: “Time
to start deporting these people that are not born in Canada & strip
them of Canadian citizenship or send them to jail for 99 years if born
here.” I responded with this: That’s a pretty racist remark to make.
Sorry to say. Not everyone of color is always an immigrant or a
criminal. Think about it. At the end of the day, there are good and
bad in all races. When we speak about diversity, one of the things we have
in common is that we all stand up against those who commit criminal
acts and believe in public safety.”
It’s very unfortunate that our local community had to fear that two
individuals were on the loose due to these false allegations. I know
people are stating that this young woman needs to be punished and
charged. Lets remove ourselves from these negative feelings. First of
all, the Abbotsford Police did a tremendous job in investigating and
being diligent in trying to find these suspects. Our diverse
population, including the South Asian community stepped forward to
lend their support to locate these suspects.
We may never understand the reason why this young woman did what she
did in making up this story or why she felt the need to accuse South
Asian men as being the culprits. I recall a time in 1989 of a similar
case where a young woman accused a South Asian man for attacking her
in Abbotsford and it turned out to be false. Being a brown person, I
can say it was not a very nice feeling listening to some of the
comments and assumptions.
I hope this individual receives the help she needs.
False accusations against a certain race or culture can hurt and
divide an entire community.
