The NYPD rape victim is NOT an accuser

First of all, let me applaud the fact that Women's eNews published this article. It was insightful to have such an interview, and it probably answered a lot of questions that women have.

Unfortunately, the authors of this article did make one glaring mistake--the called the victim the "accuser". Not withstanding the fact that this was a trial, and police were the plaintiffs, there are serious issues with calling a rape victim an "accuser". In doing so, it implies that the victim could be lying, and it sends that message subliminally to the readers. The victim CAN accuse two people of committing the rape. But a sentence like:
"In December 2008, the accuser celebrated a job promotion..."

is rife with innuendo, and serves to discredit the woman that has been victimized. It also makes other women wary of reporting rape--particularly if it is not taken seriously by those to whom she is reporting the rape. I realize this was not your intention, ladies, but be more careful--we are counting on you as members of the media to promote a feminist voice.

http://www.womensenews.org/story/in-the-courts/110531/nyc-juror-questions-handling-rape-evidence?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email