Falsely Accused Day Will Spotlight Devastating Problem Affecting Over 20 Million Americans

MEDIA ADVISORY

Rebecca Stewart: 513-479-3335

Falsely Accused Day Will Spotlight Devastating Problem Affecting Over 20 Million Americans

WASHINGTON / August 24, 2022 – Falsely Accused Day will be observed on Friday, September 9. Falsely Accused Day will be marked by solemn observances held in countries around the world: United Kingdom (1), Ireland, India, Argentina, and Australia. In the United States, events in Washington, DC will include a candlelight march on September 9, followed by a rally the following day in John Marshall Park (2).

False allegations refer to accusations of wrongdoing made in a criminal or civil context that are not made in good faith. Determinations of lack of good faith can be based on prior threats by the complainant to “get even” with the defendant, on subsequent admissions that the allegation was fabricated, and other factors.

False allegations became a focus of public debate in 2017 when the #MeToo movement was launched. More recently, the $15 million award against Amber Heard for her defamatory domestic violence claims against Johnny Depp reflects the continued problem with false allegations (3).

Following are five key facts about false allegations:

A 2020 national survey found that 8% of Americans — 11% of men and 6% of women — report being falsely accused of sexual assault, domestic violence, or child abuse. The 8% figure represents 20.4 million adults (4).
False allegations are the leading cause of wrongful convictions. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, false allegations and perjury contribute to 62% of all wrongful convictions (5).
About one-quarter of false allegations are made during the course of a child custody dispute (4). Such allegations can lead to parental alienation syndrome with long-term harmful effects on the child (6).
False allegations can have other devastating consequences, including social stigmatization, impairment of career opportunities, and mental health problems (7).
Although laws and policies delineate sanctions to be imposed on false accusers, in practice they are often not enforced (8).

The Coalition to End Domestic Violence has published these Special Reports on false allegations:

How False Allegations of Domestic Violence Harm Families and Children https://endtodv.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/False-Allegations-Harm-Families.pdf
Incentives to Make False Allegations of Domestic Violence https://endtodv.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/False-Allegations-Incentives.pdf

False allegations are not mere “name-calling.” Because of their long-term and pernicious effects, false allegations can be more harmful than physical abuse.

Falsely Accused Day will serve to bring public awareness to the plight of the falsely accused, avoid wrongful convictions, and strengthen the enforcement of sanctions against false accusers.

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