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In the public interest I offer the following criteria in understanding certain current events.
Information needed to evaluate a woman’s claim against a man for sexual misconduct or attack:
1. Were there witnesses willing to speak publicly about it? [This is unlikely.]
2. Did she share her story with others after the incident and can those people verify that she shared her story then?
3. Did she seek counsel for trauma resulting from the incident, even if years after the incident?
4. Does she have any personal, financial, or political motive for her accusation?
A. Does she have troubled relationships with the accused, members of his family, his friends, or his supporters?
B. Does she seek financial gain or would she benefit financially from an accepted accusation?
C. Does she have demonstrable connections with politicians or groups which oppose the accused? [Her political leanings and support of particular candidates or party are not by themselves a political motive.]
5. Is she willing to talk to law enforcement and be subject to an investigation? [Such willingness is suggestive of truthfulness.]
The following would be true if the accuser is making a false accusation:
1. There will have been no witnesses.
2. There will be no history of her recollection of the event to others.
3. Her story will not be consistent with accusations by others or confirmable by anyone else.
4. There will be no discoverable motive for making the accusation.
5. The accuser will not ask for or want an investigation. An investigation likely will reveal an ulterior motive and the falsehood of the accusation.
To evaluate the accused we have to consider that:
1. Witnesses provided by the accused denying the incident are suspect because they may have a motivation to lie because of friendship, political association, or financial consideration.
2. Outright denials by the accused are by definition self-serving.
3. Unwillingness to talk with law enforcement and undergo an investigation shows defensiveness and unwillingness to prove his innocence.
Conclusion: An investigation by experienced law enforcement is necessary. The finding of fact by such an investigation will likely prove or disprove the accusation.
I welcome additions and corrections to my "metrics." A professional who has considered criteria and process is @SethAbramson available on threadreaderapp.com.
