NCJ Number
233296
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 16 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2010 Pages: 1372-1374
Date Published
December 2010
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines the historic and current issue of false rape allegations.
Abstract
The historic and continuing preoccupation with the issue of false rape allegations is embedded in a profound fear of the vulnerability that rape victims represent. That fear leads to an intense need to shun the victim, a shunning that is accomplished most effectively by disbelieving that a rape ever occurred. Ironically, the preoccupation with false rape allegations increases our collective vulnerability. It serves to further undermine the criminal justice response to rape, thereby permitting serial rapistswho commit the vast majority of rapesto continue preying on the vulnerable. (Published Abstract)