PA- Reported Rape a Hoax

8-23-2009 Pennsylvania:

The woman who told police she was raped on a college campus in the Poconos admitted she lied and could face charges in Monroe County.

Three different police agencies responded to the alleged rape on East Stroudsburg University's campus last week.

A 22-year-old female student said a man had sexually assaulted her at knifepoint in a student parking lot in broad daylight.

After an investigation, state police said the woman has now admitted it was all a lie.

"When you look at something as egregious as this where someone went to that length to make a detailed story and put so many resources into affect, it is sad and it is a bit frustrated for law enforcement," said campus police chief Robin Olson.

Stroud Area Regional Police, who also responded to the alleged rape on ESU's campus, said out of all of the sexual assault cases reported to their department, .around 25 percent are false.

"Now we have done all of this. We have expended out resources and we have found out that we have been out and out lied to. We've terrorized and put fear into the public thinking that this mad man has been walking around their neighborhood," said Captain William Parrish of the Stroud Area Regional Police Department.

Police said it just hurts the real victims who are already afraid to come forward because people won't believe them. Stroud Area Regional Police said only 30 percent of sex assaults are reported.

According the state police, the female student said she lied about the rape because she was having trouble in school and was having personal problems.

East Stroudsburg University sophomore Felicia Twiford said that's no excuse. "It's a serious situation and it shouldn't be made into a joke like that," she said.

The female student who claimed she was raped could now face charges for filing a false report. ..Source.. by Wendy Mc New