Section 1: Definition of False Accusation A false accusation is defined as a claim made by an individual alleging a sexual crime against another individual, which the accuser knows to be untrue or has a reckless disregard for the truth.
Section 2: Penalties for False Accusations
- Criminal Penalty: Any individual found guilty of making a false accusation of a sexual crime shall face criminal penalties equivalent to the minimum sentencing guidelines for the crime they falsely accused another of committing.
- Repeat Offenders: If the false accusation leads to wrongful imprisonment of the accused, the accuser shall face a mandatory minimum sentence equivalent to the time served by the wrongfully accused.
Section 3: Legal Process
- Burden of Proof: The burden of proof shall rest on the accuser to demonstrate the veracity of their claims. If found to have made a false accusation, the accuser shall be held accountable as per Section 2.
- Safeguards: This law shall include provisions to ensure that legitimate claims of sexual crimes are protected, including an assessment of the accuser’s intent and the context of the accusation.
Section 4: Education and Prevention
- Awareness Programs: The law will mandate educational programs to inform the public about the seriousness of sexual crimes and the implications of false accusations.
- Support Services: Establish support services for both accusers and accused individuals to encourage reporting of legitimate claims without fear of reprisal.