The Rate of False Allegations of Partner Violence

Abstract

A key controversy surrounding partner violence (PV) concerns false allegations. It is related to various disputes regarding gender differences with respect to PV. The rate of false PV complaints has been in dispute for decades. Some argue that it is marginal, others that it is significant. The article shows that the controversy has ramifications for the estimation of the prevalence of PV and for the measures police and welfare agencies should take when receiving such complaints. The article suggests methods for examining the scope of the phenomenon of false allegations and stresses the importance of such studies.

Keywords: domestic violence