News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Double-Faced. Parent comment

Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by AnimalMuppet on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @06:49PM (#15975013)
> ... why can't it be handled in court between them?

If you're falsely accused, do you want to have to spend $10,000 to defend yourself?

If you're harassed, do you want to have to spend $10,000 to accuse the perpetrator?

That's why it should be handled in court only as the last resort.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by chroem- on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @06:52PM (#15975035)
It's much harder to make false accusations in a court of law.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by tptacek on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @08:54PM (#15975700)
It's much harder to make any accusations in a court of law.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by ams6110 on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @09:59PM (#15976050)
Right, because as an individual you can't make an accusation in criminal court. That is done by a prosecutor, who will have to be reasonably confident that he has sufficient evidence to get a conviction.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by tptacek on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @10:12PM (#15976101)
You've confused "court of law" with "criminal court". Most sexual harassment claims are civil, not criminal.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by busterarm on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @11:35PM (#15976461)
> If you're falsely accused, do you want to have to spend $10,000 to defend yourself?

Versus losing your ability to receive higher education or an income in your industry (or period?). Seems like a real no-brainer choice to make there.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by pharrington on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @07:41PM (#15975341)
Certainly, which is indicative of a larger, fundamental problem the US currently has in trying to be a nation beholden to the rule of law.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by mudil on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @07:59PM (#15975435)
That's a circular argument. On the other hand, all other disputes and infractions are handled in court. Say someone's daughter is sexually harassed on a neighbor's lawn. Is the lawn the place to investigate and punish the accused?
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by prepend on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @07:33PM (#15975282)
I think the idea is criminal courts, not civil. So prosecution would be free, but expensive to defend yourself.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Transformation of Sexual-Harassment Law Will Be Doubl... by AnimalMuppet on Wednesday December 20, 2017 @09:31PM (#15975899)
It is my impression that most harassment does not rise to the level of criminal. (I could be wrong, though.)
[ Parent | on HN ]