Research Finds Most Sexual Assault Reports to be True

Publication Date: Jul 2022

This report by the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault debunks common myths around false reports of sexual assault and rape. There are widely held beliefs in law enforcement that sexual assault and rape allegations are often false reports. These beliefs can influence political and social support for initiatives for victim services. According to reliable and valid data, the range of false report rates of sexual assault and rape consistently falls within a range of 2 to 10%. This is the same range of false reporting of other crimes. 

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Topic(s):

Investigations Trauma

VAWA Crime(s):

Sexual Assault

Role(s):

First Line Supervisor Investigator/Detective Patrol Officer/Deputy

Jurisdiction(s):

Alaska College and University Campuses Rural Suburban Territories Tribal Nations/Tribes Urban