McFadden: Staggered age of consent will be discussed to end abuses of power

The Independent reports a minister's and the opposition's responses to calls for a staggered age of consent after allegations against Russell Brand and David Walliams. It attributes the allegations carefully, gives Walliams's denial and explains the current law. One small lapse: in S20 the outlet's own voice describes Mia Latter's rape allegation as being "mistreated", although S5 has already told the reader she alleges rape.

1. Softens the allegation

   Minor

   “alleged she had been mistreated by jailed comedian Brand”

   Why this matters

   The word "mistreated" restates Mia Latter's allegation in the outlet's own voice as something much milder than what she alleges.

   The impression it gives

   A reader starting at this paragraph could think she alleges some lesser wrong rather than rape.

   The context

   Earlier in the same article the outlet says she publicly claims she was raped by Brand at 16. The Guardian reports she alleged she was orally raped. The softer word sits beside the accurate one, so the overall picture survives.

   How we know

   • Elsewhere in the article“publicly claim she was raped by Brand as a 16-year-old schoolgirl”
   • The Guardian reported“alleged she had been orally raped by the jailed comedian”UK government to consider changing age of consent after allegations against Russell Brand (opens in a new tab)