Factsheets: False Allegations of Sexual Assault vs. "Unfounded" Sexual Assaults

Investigators need to ask themselves how false does the allegation need to be to be a false allegation? It is common to take a statement from a victim that is riddled with inconsistent or untrue statements. This should not be confused with a false allegation.

Federal reporting requirements are clear; sexual assault cases are "unfounded", if after a thorough investigation, they are determined to be false or baseless.

Common reasons some departments erroneously unfound case include:

1. not being able to locate the victim
2. victim is uncooperative or won't follow through with prosecution
3. victim repeatedly changes her/his account of the rape
4. victim recants
5. no assailant can be identified

Some police departments will unfound cases where the offender is identified but cannot be charged or the victim refuses to cooperate, when they should actually use "exceptional clearance." When reporting procedures were reformed in several large departments including NYCPD unfounded cases dropped from 15% to 2%.

False reports of sexual assaults are relatively rare but they do happen. Individuals who make false allegations of sexual assault generally do so for one of the following reasons:

1. They suffer from psychological problems
2. They use the claim of rape for self-protection (against a father, husband, etc.)
3. They are malicious