So he's saying that about half/over half of all rapes accusations are false, and these stats bear that out.

Really? Half or more? Or is this sleight of hand?

The common stats according to FBI and everywhere else are between 5-8%

What gives?

So I've been eating bean and cheese tosadas for dinner the past few nights, and they are delicious! But keeping the refried beans in the can in the fridge as I went kind of made me feel like I was eating dog food... Hmm.

Allyson, it looks like they're using several different definitions of "false allegation," and combining the statistics from different studies as if they were all using the same definition. I'm a little too tired to read it closely right now, though.

Taking the first example of a high percentage of "false" accusation. (Kanin, 1994)- well known study. Its "rigorous" methodolgy really meant rape victims were treated as guilty until proven innocent and pressured into retracting. David Lisak. [link]

I was able to look that up quickly because I've encountered the Kanin study before. No time for the others.

Timelies all!

Got back from Toronto(via Buffalo) last night. The con was great. Lots of good music and good friends. Also, Gary was inducted into the Filk Hall of Fame, which honors those who have contributed significantly to the filk community. (We've been sitting on the news since January.)

That's great, congrats to him!

Thanks for helping me out guys. I was uber confused.

The studies seems to have a small number of participants and seem to be on (?) college campuses. I think FBI stats who include a wider swath of the population, have more people are likely going to be more reliable.

Do I think it is *possible* that the false accusations are above 8%? Yes. Do I think they are as high as 50%? hell no.

But I can imagine constructing a study where you'd get 50+%. Citing two studies to support this point is not particularly persuasive for me.

Also, Allyson, IIRC from previous iterations of this same awful argument (probably with the same awful people), there may also be a question of terminology: a lot of what some people call "false" accusations are likely true, but charges end up being dropped because they're ultimately felt to be "unfounded," which is often police-dept.-speak for "not enough physical evidence to support a trial and conviction." Which can often be the case for rape via nonviolent coercion, deception or Rohypnol; the rape may very well have happened, but it's unprovable on the physical evidence alone.

"Half or more false" is really, really hard for whoever you're arguing against to defend (or for you to attack) without some clearer definition of terms.

I swear by mine. Great for making focaccia or French bread toast as well as paninis!

Which one do you have, Matt?