I strongly disagree with Barbara Ellen's premise that men accused of rape should not be given anonymity ("Don't give men anonymity on rape", Comment).

A friend was so accused some years ago. He was a successful businessman who had divorced. He kept in close contact with his former wife and did all possible both emotionally and financially to support his family. After the split, he entered into a new relationship. When this ended, presumably in a fit of pique, she reported him for rape. He was arrested, charged and kept on remand in prison for some six months until friends could raise surety.

His trial ended when the judge threw out the case. He was identified in the local press, vilified and lost his health, business and respect. His young children also became aware, encouraged by his ex-wife. After his release, he suffered a heart attack. He was fortunate to survive.

His "victim" is still out there enjoying her life, presumably having not suffered from her lying rape accusations.

Come on, Ms Ellen, get real. Anonymity for both parties is a must unless expressly requested otherwise.

Alun Watkins

London W6

Barbara Ellen says that "while men are more likely to be falsely accused of rape, they are also, in far greater numbers, the perpetrators of it". I see. In order to maximise rape convictions, it's an acceptable trade-off that the odd innocent bloke has his (and his family's) life ruined? I don't think so. Let's have anonymity for rape suspects now, please.

Chris Parkins

Stanmore, Middlesex

There may be a gender divide on the government side but there is no such divide among Labour MPs. Indeed, neither of my male colleagues who spoke in the debate supported the government's surprising and wrongheaded proposal to extend anonymity to rape defendants alone.

This is because they all understand that the Tory-Lib Dem coalition proposal sends a powerful signal to rape victims, mainly women and children, that they, uniquely among victims of crime, are not to be believed.

The prime minister told the House of Commons that a lot of people are falsely accused of rape (Hansard, 9 June 2010). In fact, there is no evidence to suggest more false allegations are made in rape cases than in other categories of crime.

Tory women MPs spoke against this proposal with power and eloquence, as did opposition MPs. I hope they will join us in preventing this retrograde step which will deter victims from coming forward and more rapists getting away with this terrible crime.

Maria Eagle MP, shadow justice minister

House of Commons

London SW1

Most women tend not to report rape, but those who do, such as me, partly do so to ensure that the rapist's friends and family know what he did. We know that the chances of him being convicted and sentenced are low. Women like us don't report rape for revenge. We report rape and go through the trauma of a court case to ensure he never rapes again.

The thought of my rapist's name being kept anonymous would have prevented me from putting myself through the "second" rape, ie the court case.

The anonymity bill would, to my mind, give potential rapists the green light to go ahead and rape as many women as they like.

Name and address supplied

At Family Matters, we see around 700 clients a year. Approximately 170 are rape victims. I believe this law would dramatically change the present landscape for reporting rape: at best, only 14-20% of women report rape.

Given that a quarter of the rape victims we see are girls under 16, it seems certain that some men target these girls specifically. I can see no argument for giving them anonymity.

Mary Trevillion

Clinical director, Family Matters

Gravesend, Kent