Outraged by the Cyprus rape case? Britain’s treatment of victims isn’t all that different

Analysis: ‘As a victim, you are the one under suspicion. You are the one who has to prove your good character,’ one woman tells Lizzie Dearden

The woman arrives at court in Paralimni yesterday (AFP/Getty)

News that a young British woman who claimed she had been “forced” to retract a rape allegation by police had been convicted of a criminal offence in Cyprus has sparked outrage in the UK.

The 19-year-old, who reported being raped by several Israeli men while on holiday in Ayia Napa, could be jailed for the country’s offence of “causing public mischief”. As thousands of people slammed the verdict and the hashtag #IBelieveHer trended on Twitter, users voiced shock over the woman’s treatment.

Many highlighted how she was questioned for hours by Cypriot police, without a lawyer or relative present, before signing the retraction relied upon by the prosecution.