Innocent man in prison was treated like the scum of the earth

A 22 year old steel worker who was falsely accused of rape, decided it was better for his safety if he fabricated a story and told other inmates that he was in prison for a shooting. But, one day, his name and charge details were revealed.

"In prison, if you are in for anything relating to a sex offence you are the lowest of the low," he explained. "My lawyers and even the prison staff told me that I would be in serious danger if other prisoners found out what I was charged with. So I concocted this story about being a career criminal who was in over a shooting. People seemed to believe it, but when my name was in the paper they realised why I was really there. I didn't leave my cell again."

In March 2009, James and a friend were accused of rape. Apparently they had burst into her home, threatened her with a knife and then raped her. The truth was, James knew the woman beforehand and she has invited them over after a night out.

James and his friend had never spent any time in jail. Luckily for his friend, he got bail and could leave after 10 days, but James was on remand for a full year. He had to spend most of the time in one of Britain's toughest prisons.

After a long hard battle, they were both acquitted in March this year. But even though he was cleared, James still says the feeling of being accused of rape still haunts him. He has not only lost a year of this life for something he did not do, but he is also not sure if he still has a job.

"Being accused of something I did not do was a nightmare," he said. "But when people in prison found out what the allegation was my life became unbearable. They would put razor blades under the door and urinate into my cell. They threatened me and my family.

"I was in a cell for 23 hours and 45 minutes a day for my own safety. The only time I was allowed out was for 15 minutes at night time when all of the other prisoners were asleep.

"Eventually I had to be transferred to Barlinnie for my own safety. I told the other prisoners the shooting story, which worked for a while, but then one of the guys from Addiewell was transferred too and it started again. I was put on suicide watch and I refused to eat. When I went out on the wing, people would point and say, 'there's the monster'.

"Next they moved me to the sex offenders' wing. I was the only remand prisoner there, and it was hell. There were rapists and pedophiles and I did not want to associate with these guys but I was being treated like one of them."

Even after his horrible experience, James has decided to support the suggestion that rape suspects should be given the same anonymity as victims. The proposal has been opposed by women's rights groups, who say that such a move would prevent genuine rape victims coming forward.

James said: "I understand that rape victims should have anonymity, but I do not see any reason why suspects should have their names in the public domain if they have not been found guilty of a crime.

"I fully agree that rapists should be named and shamed. They are the scum of the earth and their names and photographs should be in every newspaper. But in my opinion that should only happen when they are convicted.

"I had my name dragged through the dirt because of a false allegation. I was labelled a rape suspect and it nearly ruined my life.

"My name was cleared in a court of law but even now I hear the phrase 'no smoke without fire' and I feel that some people still look at me and say things behind my back.
 
"I agree with what women's groups say 99.9 per cent of the time. I think what they do for victims of rape is great because it is a terrible crime, but on the point of anonymity I have to disagree.

"When I was in Barlinnie I met three people who were on remand for rape: two were acquitted and the other had his conviction overturned on appeal. So false allegations do happen.

"People have to realise that cases like mine do occur. But because I was not entitled to anonymity my name was plastered across the newspapers with the word rape next to it. I will forever be linked with a rape accusation, even though I have been acquitted."

Have you been charged with a criminal offence? Let NICRO help you out during this tough time, we can offer a wide range of services to you. All you have to do is contact NICRO today!

Racism 101

Racism is when you treat someone differently of unfairly because of the colour of their skin or their culture. If you are the victim of racism, know that what they are doing is illegal and just because you are different doesn't give them the right to treat you differently or abuse you.

What exactly is racism?

Racism can mean a variety of things. It is when someone is treated in an unfair manner because of their race or culture, it is also when someone is prejudiced against because of their religion or nationality.

One example is seeing a Muslim person and immediately assuming they are a terrorist. This is wrong and not true at all!

It is illegal to treat people differently or unfairly because of their race and nobody has the right to make you feel bad or abuse you.

Racism can include:

-- written or verbal threats or insults
-- damage to property, including graffiti
-- personal attacks, including violence

Why are some people racist?

Someone who's a racist can feel threatened by anyone who's from a different race or culture.

Our views and beliefs develop as we grow up. If you grow up within a racist family, or have friends who are racist, you may believe that racism is normal and acceptable.

Prejudice of any kind is often based on ignorance and fear of things that are different. Don't dislike what you don't know. Find out more by reading, learning about things online, talking to people who might have a different perspective to you and getting lots of different views before you make up your mind.

Imagine being someone else and what this would be like. Think about how you'd like to be treated.
Being bullied or treated differently can be hard. It might seem easier to avoid situations where the racist abuse might happen, like not going to school. This usually won't help it go away. And it can make you feel worse.

Things you can try to help stop the bullying:

-- Accept that it's not your fault - It can be tough if you're having a hard time, but remember you're not the one to have caused the problem.

-- Tell someone what's happening to you - This could be a close friend or an adult you trust.

-- Keep some evidence - This could be a diary of events, saved messages and a record of when things happen. This can be useful to show others that you need help.

-- Keep yourself safe - You could walk home with someone you trust, change privacy settings online and block users who bully you.

Young people have told us:

"People laugh at me and call me names because I have red hair and freckles."

''I get told to be avoided because I'm from Pakistan and people say I am a bad person''

''Boys at school call me horrible names because my family and I are Jehovah's Witnesses.''

Whatever you're going through, you can talk to someone. Don't hesitate to contact NICRO whenever you or a loved one needs help.

Speak up about Physical Abuse!

What is physical abuse? Well, physical, abuse is when someone hurts or injures you on purpose. No, this does not only mean hitting or kicking, it can include anything from hair pulling and beating with objects to throwing and shaking.

Even if you feel that you were in the wrong and it was your fault, NO ONE has the right to hurt you in this way!

Read on to find out how physical abuse can make you feel, what defines physical abuse and who can physically abuse you...

Physical abuse can make you feel:

• frightened and anxious
• depressed and sad
• lonely and isolated
• like you want to self-harm or run away
• angry
• worthless with low self-esteem
• unable to eat normally
• unable to sleep properly
• numb or like you've been cut off from your feelings
• unable to concentrate at school or college
• guilty and worried that it is your fault (it isn't)

What are examples of physical abuse?

Physical abuse is when someone is hurting you. This could be hurting you with their hands, their feet, or an object. It can involve:

• hitting and smacking
• slapping
• punching
• pinching
• kicking
• shaking or suffocating you
• scalding or burning you
• scratching or biting
• hair pulling
• spitting or throwing things at you

Anybody can be physically abusive, including:

• your mum or your dad
• brothers and sisters
• other people in your family
• a boyfriend or girlfriend
• other adults or young people.

Bullying may often include physical abuse.

Sometimes, when we are used to something happening, it feels like it is part of normal life. This can make it hard to understand that what is happening is wrong. It can happen if you are in a situation where abuse has been going on for a long time.

Always remember, it’s not your fault. No one has the right to hurt somebody else. They may say they have reasons for doing it, but none of those reasons are acceptable.

The person who is hurting you might tell you that it’s your fault or that they are punishing you. But nothing you have done makes it okay for someone to hurt you. Abuse is never your fault.

If someone is hurting you, they are aware of what they are doing and know it is wrong. They may try to stop you telling anyone about what is happening.

Everyone has the right to be safe, and no one has the right to hurt you. It shouldn’t happen and can be stopped. You can get help by talking to NICRO or to someone you trust.

If you are being physically abused and feel you are in immediate danger, you should consider calling the police or someone who can help!