Of all domestic violence calls the authority's answer 65% will recant their story before it gets to trail. And of that number 80% that do recant or drop pending charges are women. This is an amazing statistic regarding an alarming trend. False allegations of abuse are being thrown around like the morning paper because it's seen as an easy win, with little to no risk involved.

There are many reasons that people use this tactic. One of the biggest reasons is revenge. What better way to ruin someone's life than by accusing them of domestic violence. I mean why not get even for everything they did wrong by calling them an abuser. What's even worse is there is little to no repercussions for falsely accusing anyone for abuse. I mean what's to stop someone from accusing some one of abuse long after a relationship is over just to get back at an ex-partner for being happy. These accusations are made with no basis in truth just a vindictive way to try and cast a doubt on the character of the accused.

Another reason many false allegations are filed is to try and defame a parent in a custody case. Many lawyers tell their clients to do this in order to make the other parent be shown to be an abuser in the court room. This tactic is being used mostly by women seeking to get custody of the children by any means necessary. In this instance, courts have always erred on the side of caution giving restraining orders with little to no supporting evidence just in case the allegations may be true as they don't want to be accused of allowing abuse to happen. It then leaves the accused with the stain of guilty till proven innocent in the family court. If the father has had a restraining order placed on him he automatically has to fight twice as hard to overcome the false allegations. While some women make these accusations to friends, family and the children themselves they never actually have any evidence or police reports to back up their claims and again there is little to no recourse in this matter.

Here is just one example:

Judge Rucker Smith of Georgia was assaulted by his ex-girlfriend. Even

Though she had instigated the incident and he did not retaliate, he was charged with battery. A jury later acquitted Smith of all charges. However these charges caused the judge much turmoil in his life, both privately and professionally, dealing with these false accusations. He subsequently opined, "For someone to falsely accuse another out of anger and vengeance silences the voices of the many real victims." And if it can happen to a judge it can happen to anyone.

This is the most damaging thing regarding false allegations as Judge Rucker points out is it lessens the words of the real victims. Every time someone calls wolf falsely people then begin to doubt, on a whole, the validity of any report of abuse. For every real victim that gets turned away the blame can surely go on a system that allows false accusations to go unpunished.

False allegations of abuse need to be prosecuted severely. There needs to be severe repercussions to telling false stories otherwise they will continue to spread their vindictive lies without remorse. Having severe penalties for false and unsubstantiated abuse allegations will make accusers think twice before making these accusations and let the voice of real victims be heard.

Gamo Big Cat 1250