It is extremely rare for anyone – especially men – to be falsely accused of rape. Most experts estimate that only around 2 to 10 percent of sexual assault cases ever reported turn out to be false. Still, the question must be asked, why are such reports made in the first place? Well, here are some answers:
The False Accusers are Most Likely Young
The evidence shows that it is quite rare for an adult woman to make false allegations. Rather, it is far more likely for a teenage girl to do this. Young girls may make such claims when they are afraid of getting into trouble over another behavior that they may have committed.
This is common with teenagers who tend to be harshly punished by strict parents for minor offences. To prevent this from happening, they come up with a story about rape. In instances such as these, Jeff Mass and Robbie Tsang, renowned sexual assault lawyers in Toronto can work to clear up such cases.
The Accusers Have a History of Making False Accusations
There is a reason that false accusations are so rare – most people don’t have the capacity to make them. In fact, it is estimated that up to 95 percent of sexual assaults are never actually reported. Thus, making a false report takes a unique personality type.
Research has show that a number of false accusations have be made by people who have previously wrongfully accused others of crime. Such individuals may have even filed false police reports. In many cases, these individuals may also have a history of violence or a criminal background.
If this is something that you have faced, then you should check out frequently asked questions about sexual assault sentence and how to deal with such a scenario.
False Allegations are Usually Recanted
There is some good news for those who have been falsely accused of such a crime. People who make these accusations tend to have a goal in mind – they want to achieve something through this report. Once they have achieved this, they will typically recant their version of the story or the report.
Thus, the accused is unlikely to be charged or their case may not go further. Even if they were charged, these charges may be dropped.
False Accusations Aren’t What They Always Seem
In certain instances, it isn’t that the woman is making a false report. Rather, it is that there isn’t enough physical evidence to corroborate her story. There is also the fact that police officers will tend to dismiss a case if certain facts don’t align with their concept of sexual assault, coercion, or rape.
If it doesn’t appear that there is enough proof, then the police may likely dismiss the case as a false allegation. In reality, though, a crime may have actually taken place.
It is important to understand why anyone would make a false rape allegation. Taking all sides into consideration allows you to get a full picture of the landscape. This can make you a better advocate, protect yourself properly, or have a greater understanding of the system.