Dr. Chloe Carmichael Blogs

Academic citations on false allegations or wrongful accusations of rape and sexual harassment


Articles:

The #MeToo movement has spotlighted countless cases of sexual misconduct, but unfortunately every spotlight has a shadow. In the case of the #MeToo movement, the shadow is the fact that human beings will sometimes make false accusations. As a clinical psychologist who has worked with men facing false accusations and with women who have admitted to making false accusations, as well as with men and women who have dealt with legitimate situations of misconduct, I contend that the “believe all women” mentality is well-intentioned but completely misguided and harmful to both men and women. Here’s why:

The experience of a false accusation can be devastating to young men, especially if they are up against a legal or academic system that views an allegation as proof of guilt.  False allegations can result in everything from expulsion from school, to job loss and legal nightmares– and overwhelming feelings of shame and anger.  Moreover, young men and their families may face loneliness or social isolation due to the real or imagined circumstances that their social circle harbors a misguided premise that believing all women is always helpful.  The guide below is not intended to be a comprehensive guide.  It is just a basic discussion of the value of work in hard times; the process of finding a supportive therapist; and the delicate balance parents face between offering support and colluding with a debilitating belief that this situation is so devastating that the young man’s life must remain at an indefinite standstill.