Online justice and rape

Rape allegations about a footballer have led to debate online and protests in real life.A woman who says she was raped by a Premier League footballer put her allegations and evidence for them online. On social media some people have tried to pick holes in her account and demanded anonymity for people accused of rape. Others are outraged that the player hasn’t been suspended by his club. In real life, an aeroplane banner protest said “Kick rapists off the pitch”. What’s the law on identifying rape suspects? How common are false allegations of rape? And do people actually understand the law on rape?

Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor
Researcher: Ellie House
Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele & Helena Warwick-Cross
Music: Oskar Jones
Editors: Hugh Levinson & Penny Murphy