The problem with "Listen and Believe" is, as this article points out, that taking a supposed victim's word as a fact foregoes due process in convicting a suppos

The problem with "Listen and Believe" is, as this article points out, that taking a supposed victim's word as a fact foregoes due process in convicting a supposed criminal in the court of public opinion. Rape is a serious crime that can ruin someone's life. But being falsely accused of rape can also ruin someone's life. Because even when the allegations are revealed to be fraudulent some doubt will remain. This also holds true for similar "taboo" crimes like sexual abuse of children. The reason rape cases so often end up without a conviction is not that we (in the US and Europe) live in a culture that doesn't take rape seriously -- quite the opposite (otherwise fraudulent accusations of rape wouldn't be so damaging) -- it's that these crimes are inherently hard to prove beyond reasonable doubt, which a state of law requires to make a conviction.