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This is one of those great falsehoods around. There's a meme that lots of men's lives are being ruined by false rape claims. In fact, unreported rapes are a much, much greater problem. False rape accusations are rare.


I agree that unreported rapes are a big problem. No question.

On false rape accusations - there are numbers that say it's as low as 2.5% and as high as 8%. The Duke Lacrosse players case is probably one of the more publicized ones. For over a year their lives were destroyed. But fortunately the truth came out, with men like Mike NiFong and even Al Sharpton exposed for what they really are.

What I was surprised to learn is that there's a separate statistic where a rape occurred, but the wrong person was accused - the 2.5 to 8% doesn't factor those in, it's a separate stat.

The numbers "are what they are". Tamar, I hate to say this, but your statement is a little too close for comfort to the "enemy" statement from Trent Franks that pregnancy from rape is rare, and we all know about the uproar over that statement.

But I do realize that even if the stats aren't high, they do become a context in some circles for not pursuing future rape allegations - and that is extremely unfortunate.

I cannot find the link - if I find it, I will post it - a NY Congresswoman about 10 years ago said (in public) that women should lie and say they were raped in order to be able to terminate the pregnancy. I understand where that's coming from, but the bottom line is that state and national politicians have laws to uphold, and that certainly isn't a way to do it.