This module is designed to directly confront this issue of false reporting. The material provided throughout this module will attempt to answer several key questions that have historically created a bigger hurdle for sexual assault victims than any lack of training or experience on the part of law enforcement professionals. These questions include:
• What are the “red flags” that raise suspicion of a sexual assault report?
• What is our gut reaction to these “red flags?”
How are these “red flags” based on cultural stereotypes of “real rape?”
• What is the actual definition of a false report?
• But what if part of the report is false?
• How can law enforcement investigators create a “false report?”
• How many sexual assault reports are actually false?
• How should law enforcement handle the frustrating reality of “real” false reports?
• How can investigators reverse this cycle of suspicion?