| False Charges |
Over half of
molestation-abuse
accusations are false, yet
this crime has the highest
conviction rate of any felony
charge. An accusation of
child molestation can start
in a custody battle and lead
to juvenile and criminal
cases. An anonymous
accusation of abuse can
lead to the removal of your
children, to criminal
charges, to separation from
your spouse, and ultimately
a prison sentence.
[Click here for link]
molestation-abuse
accusations are false, yet
this crime has the highest
conviction rate of any felony
charge. An accusation of
child molestation can start
in a custody battle and lead
to juvenile and criminal
cases. An anonymous
accusation of abuse can
lead to the removal of your
children, to criminal
charges, to separation from
your spouse, and ultimately
a prison sentence.
[Click here for link]
A 1996 study published by the U.S.
Department of Justice: Convicted by Juries,
Exonerated by Science: Case Studies in the
Use of DNA Evidence to Establish
Innocence After Trial. The study
documents 28 cases which, "with the
exception of one young man of limited
mental capacity who pleaded guilty," consist
of individuals who were convicted by juries
and, then, later exonerated by DNA tests. At
the time of release, they had each served
an average of 7 years in prison.
A quote from Peter Neufeld and Barry C.
Scheck, prominent criminal attorneys and
co-founders of the “Innocence Project” that
seeks to release those falsely imprisoned
stated, "Every year since 1989, in about 25
percent of the sexual assault cases referred
to the FBI where results could be obtained,
the primary suspect has been excluded by
forensic DNA testing. Specifically, FBI
officials report that out of roughly 10,000
sexual assault cases since 1989, about
2,000 tests have been inconclusive, about
2,000 tests have excluded the primary
suspect, and about 6,000 have "matched"
or included the primary suspect." This
claim comes from a study conducted by
Eugene J. Kanin of Purdue University.
Kanin examined 109 rape complaints
registered in a Midwestern city from 1978 to
1987. Of these, 45 were ultimately
classified by the police as "false." Also
based on police records, Kanin determined
that 50 percent of the rapes reported at two
major universities were "false."
[Click here for article]
Department of Justice: Convicted by Juries,
Exonerated by Science: Case Studies in the
Use of DNA Evidence to Establish
Innocence After Trial. The study
documents 28 cases which, "with the
exception of one young man of limited
mental capacity who pleaded guilty," consist
of individuals who were convicted by juries
and, then, later exonerated by DNA tests. At
the time of release, they had each served
an average of 7 years in prison.
A quote from Peter Neufeld and Barry C.
Scheck, prominent criminal attorneys and
co-founders of the “Innocence Project” that
seeks to release those falsely imprisoned
stated, "Every year since 1989, in about 25
percent of the sexual assault cases referred
to the FBI where results could be obtained,
the primary suspect has been excluded by
forensic DNA testing. Specifically, FBI
officials report that out of roughly 10,000
sexual assault cases since 1989, about
2,000 tests have been inconclusive, about
2,000 tests have excluded the primary
suspect, and about 6,000 have "matched"
or included the primary suspect." This
claim comes from a study conducted by
Eugene J. Kanin of Purdue University.
Kanin examined 109 rape complaints
registered in a Midwestern city from 1978 to
1987. Of these, 45 were ultimately
classified by the police as "false." Also
based on police records, Kanin determined
that 50 percent of the rapes reported at two
major universities were "false."
[Click here for article]
“The personal, clinical, and legal
experience of an intact family of four in
which a false allegation of sexual abuse
was made by the daughter toward the
father was reported. The family was
followed for two years. The experience
destroyed the family and the parents and
children all suffered depression, stress,
rage, distress, hurt, and alienation. This
case study parallels the available
literature which indicates that a false
allegation of sexual abuse is destructive
and traumatic.”
A clinical psychologist was investigated
by Child Protective Services for allegedly
molesting his three-year-old daughter. A
manager in a local supermarket was
investigated for allegedly abusing his
seventeen-year-old son, a local football
star. He was fired as soon as the
investigation became public. A drug and
alcohol counselor was fired because it
was rumored that he molested a
counselee. A woman left her husband, a
young army N.C.O., and informed him that
she intended to keep all the appliances,
furniture, and any other possessions she
wanted (whether or not they belonged to
her). And if he tried to stop her, she would
turn him in for sexual abuse. The N.C.O.
did nothing. His rationale was that his
career in the service would be ruined.
[Click here for report]
experience of an intact family of four in
which a false allegation of sexual abuse
was made by the daughter toward the
father was reported. The family was
followed for two years. The experience
destroyed the family and the parents and
children all suffered depression, stress,
rage, distress, hurt, and alienation. This
case study parallels the available
literature which indicates that a false
allegation of sexual abuse is destructive
and traumatic.”
A clinical psychologist was investigated
by Child Protective Services for allegedly
molesting his three-year-old daughter. A
manager in a local supermarket was
investigated for allegedly abusing his
seventeen-year-old son, a local football
star. He was fired as soon as the
investigation became public. A drug and
alcohol counselor was fired because it
was rumored that he molested a
counselee. A woman left her husband, a
young army N.C.O., and informed him that
she intended to keep all the appliances,
furniture, and any other possessions she
wanted (whether or not they belonged to
her). And if he tried to stop her, she would
turn him in for sexual abuse. The N.C.O.
did nothing. His rationale was that his
career in the service would be ruined.
[Click here for report]
A 23-year-old woman has been arraigned
on charges she filed a false report with
police last summer, telling them she’d
been raped in a vehicle when she’d really
arranged the back-seat tryst herself.
[Click here for article]
on charges she filed a false report with
police last summer, telling them she’d
been raped in a vehicle when she’d really
arranged the back-seat tryst herself.
[Click here for article]
A woman who claimed her boyfriend raped
her is charged with fabricating the story,
according to an affidavit filed in Sumner
County General Sessions Court . . .
According to the affidavit, Bryant then
went to the Gallatin Police Department,
where she allegedly admitted that she
might have lied about being raped.
According to police, the investigation
determined that no rape occurred.
[Click here for article]
her is charged with fabricating the story,
according to an affidavit filed in Sumner
County General Sessions Court . . .
According to the affidavit, Bryant then
went to the Gallatin Police Department,
where she allegedly admitted that she
might have lied about being raped.
According to police, the investigation
determined that no rape occurred.
[Click here for article]
| Falsely Accused or Wrongfully Convicted F.A.S.T Can Help You |
Most innocent people are completely overwhelmed when a juvenile makes
false allegations against them. At first, you might think the whole thing is a
joke, but then you realize that this is the worst situation you have ever been
in, and the hot fear begins. You cry. Learn what we have to teach, and you
can fight back, intelligently.
When you are falsely accused of child sex abuse, you and those who love
you, are plunged into a very specific kind of hell. You usually had no idea this
kind of thing happens in the United States or any other western world country.
It is happening all of the time. The US Justice Department, the FBI, and The
Innocence Project all estimate that anywhere from 10% to 25% of all
convicted child sex offenders are innocent.
[Click here for website]
false allegations against them. At first, you might think the whole thing is a
joke, but then you realize that this is the worst situation you have ever been
in, and the hot fear begins. You cry. Learn what we have to teach, and you
can fight back, intelligently.
When you are falsely accused of child sex abuse, you and those who love
you, are plunged into a very specific kind of hell. You usually had no idea this
kind of thing happens in the United States or any other western world country.
It is happening all of the time. The US Justice Department, the FBI, and The
Innocence Project all estimate that anywhere from 10% to 25% of all
convicted child sex offenders are innocent.
[Click here for website]
| Girl who said she was raped changes story |
Palos Heights police closed a sexual
assault investigation Friday after the
accuser changed her story.
The teen and her family apologized to the
southwest suburban community for
“unnecessary concern” in a statement to
the media. Their lawyer, Martin Dolan,
said the 17-year-old girl could face
charges for filing a false police report, but
said he hoped officials would take pity on
the girl.
“I hope they understand this was an error
in judgment by a young woman who is
receiving professional counseling,” he
said. “I’m hoping she will not be
prosecuted.”
[Click here for article]
assault investigation Friday after the
accuser changed her story.
The teen and her family apologized to the
southwest suburban community for
“unnecessary concern” in a statement to
the media. Their lawyer, Martin Dolan,
said the 17-year-old girl could face
charges for filing a false police report, but
said he hoped officials would take pity on
the girl.
“I hope they understand this was an error
in judgment by a young woman who is
receiving professional counseling,” he
said. “I’m hoping she will not be
prosecuted.”
[Click here for article]
Palos Heights police will not pursue
charges against a 17-year-old girl for
fabricating a story that she was abducted
and sexually assaulted, officials said
Monday.
The high school student, who claimed she
was attacked as she left work Sept. 16,
will perform community service, Sgt. Dave
Delaney said. He said he understands
why some in the community feel she got
off easy, but he urged locals not to take
out their anger on the girl.
“I do believe the family is getting this girl
the help she needs,” Delaney said. “I hope
they can move on with their lives.”
[Click here for article]
charges against a 17-year-old girl for
fabricating a story that she was abducted
and sexually assaulted, officials said
Monday.
The high school student, who claimed she
was attacked as she left work Sept. 16,
will perform community service, Sgt. Dave
Delaney said. He said he understands
why some in the community feel she got
off easy, but he urged locals not to take
out their anger on the girl.
“I do believe the family is getting this girl
the help she needs,” Delaney said. “I hope
they can move on with their lives.”
[Click here for article]
| Teen who filed false sex assault report will do community service |
Executive Producer Sean Penn proudly presents "Witch Hunt," a gripping
indictment of the United States justice system told through the lens of one
small town. It's John Stoll's story, but it's also the story of dozens of other
men and women who found themselves ensnared in a spiral of fear,
ignorance and hysteria. These people are Americans, working class moms
and dads, who were rounded up with little or no evidence, charged and
convicted of almost unimaginable crimes. All sexual. All crimes against
children. Years, sometimes decades later, they would find freedom again,
but their lives and the lives of their children would be changed forever. This
film shows viewers what the real crime in this case is, not molestation, but
the crime of coercion. Viewers hear from the child witnesses who were
forced to lie on the witness stand as they describe scary sessions with
sheriff's deputies in which they were told -- not asked -- about sexual
experiences that happened to them. Their coerced testimony led to dozens
of convictions. Many times their own parents were the ones they put behind
bars.
Soon after the trials, the children started to crack. They told adults of the lies
they'd been forced to tell on the stand and hoped it would make a difference.
It didn't and the convicted continued to sit in prison. As the allegations grew
more outlandish, California's Attorney General wrote a scathing report on the
court misconduct, but instead of being buried by criticism, Kern County
District Attorney Ed Jagels thrived, doing what he did best-- putting people
away. He boasted one of the highest conviction rates in the country. This
strategy served him well. Jagels is still in office today. Through new
interviews, archival footage, and unflinching narration by Mr. Penn, the
filmmakers construct an intimate film that illustrates a universal point; when
power is allowed to exist without oversight from the press, the community or
law enforcement, the rights of everyday citizens can be lost for decades.
National film critic Marshall Fine says, "This is a chilling story about
American law-enforcement run amok and untethered. It's particularly timely in
the wake of revelations about the way the Bush administration has trampled
American civil rights. A movie that can't help but move you - to tears and to
action."
indictment of the United States justice system told through the lens of one
small town. It's John Stoll's story, but it's also the story of dozens of other
men and women who found themselves ensnared in a spiral of fear,
ignorance and hysteria. These people are Americans, working class moms
and dads, who were rounded up with little or no evidence, charged and
convicted of almost unimaginable crimes. All sexual. All crimes against
children. Years, sometimes decades later, they would find freedom again,
but their lives and the lives of their children would be changed forever. This
film shows viewers what the real crime in this case is, not molestation, but
the crime of coercion. Viewers hear from the child witnesses who were
forced to lie on the witness stand as they describe scary sessions with
sheriff's deputies in which they were told -- not asked -- about sexual
experiences that happened to them. Their coerced testimony led to dozens
of convictions. Many times their own parents were the ones they put behind
bars.
Soon after the trials, the children started to crack. They told adults of the lies
they'd been forced to tell on the stand and hoped it would make a difference.
It didn't and the convicted continued to sit in prison. As the allegations grew
more outlandish, California's Attorney General wrote a scathing report on the
court misconduct, but instead of being buried by criticism, Kern County
District Attorney Ed Jagels thrived, doing what he did best-- putting people
away. He boasted one of the highest conviction rates in the country. This
strategy served him well. Jagels is still in office today. Through new
interviews, archival footage, and unflinching narration by Mr. Penn, the
filmmakers construct an intimate film that illustrates a universal point; when
power is allowed to exist without oversight from the press, the community or
law enforcement, the rights of everyday citizens can be lost for decades.
National film critic Marshall Fine says, "This is a chilling story about
American law-enforcement run amok and untethered. It's particularly timely in
the wake of revelations about the way the Bush administration has trampled
American civil rights. A movie that can't help but move you - to tears and to
action."
| Witch Hunt Executive Produced and Narrated by Sean Penn |
| Stories |
| Articles |
He spent almost three years in prison for
molesting his two young daughters. He
spent another 15 years living with the
stigma of being a registered sex offender.
All because of what they now say is a lie.
His now-adult daughters changed their
story and he was exonerated.
molesting his two young daughters. He
spent another 15 years living with the
stigma of being a registered sex offender.
All because of what they now say is a lie.
His now-adult daughters changed their
story and he was exonerated.
A teenage girl saw Donald on a city
street and identified him as the man who
had raped her more than a year earlier.
To his horror, Donald, who has asserted
his innocence from the first day, was
convicted and sentenced to 50 years in
prison. He was released, but wears the
Sex Offender scarlet letter, a badge of
shame he has not earned.
street and identified him as the man who
had raped her more than a year earlier.
To his horror, Donald, who has asserted
his innocence from the first day, was
convicted and sentenced to 50 years in
prison. He was released, but wears the
Sex Offender scarlet letter, a badge of
shame he has not earned.
He was 19 years old and falsely accused
of raping several girls in a small Oregon
town. For anyone who knows Alex and
the girls involved, the allegations were
and remain preposterous lies.
of raping several girls in a small Oregon
town. For anyone who knows Alex and
the girls involved, the allegations were
and remain preposterous lies.
She has steadfastly maintained her
innocence since being accused of a sex
crime with her son. A new trial was
ordered after hearing two days of
testimony that included new witnesses
and her son, who recanted his original
statement.
innocence since being accused of a sex
crime with her son. A new trial was
ordered after hearing two days of
testimony that included new witnesses
and her son, who recanted his original
statement.
He was 18 and very close to his cousin.
His cousin's mother forced her daughter
into "confessing" to a crime that never
happened. Suffering from ADHD, he
said, "Whatever Heather said I did, I did."
Now branded for a lie to protect his
cousin.
His cousin's mother forced her daughter
into "confessing" to a crime that never
happened. Suffering from ADHD, he
said, "Whatever Heather said I did, I did."
Now branded for a lie to protect his
cousin.
He was falsely accused of sexual
misconduct with his step-granddaughter
without a single shred of evidence. Now
in prison, Scott is fighting for his life.
misconduct with his step-granddaughter
without a single shred of evidence. Now
in prison, Scott is fighting for his life.
An unbelievable story of how a woman's
life was ruined. With her daughter by her
side, Courtney was arrested, held and
charged unlawfully.
life was ruined. With her daughter by her
side, Courtney was arrested, held and
charged unlawfully.
| More Coming Soon |
| How many lives are ruined by false charges? |
| Woman faces charges for false rape report |
| Woman charged with filing false rape report |
| Fighting Back: Georgia Teacher Acquitted of Molestation Sues Accusers |
Three weeks after she was acquitted of molesting three children including
her own daughter, a former Georgia teacher has filed a $25 million lawsuit
against her accusers, including her ex-husband.
"The lawsuit is set in place to hold people accountable for these false
allegations, for this not to happen again," Tonya Craft told "Good Morning
America."
[click here for article]
her own daughter, a former Georgia teacher has filed a $25 million lawsuit
against her accusers, including her ex-husband.
"The lawsuit is set in place to hold people accountable for these false
allegations, for this not to happen again," Tonya Craft told "Good Morning
America."
[click here for article]
Ray Spencer, 62, says he is innocent of the crime that put him in prison for
almost half his life -- the rape of his own young children 25 years ago.
"If you did this to your own children, you know, you deserve to be locked
away," he said. But "I didn't do it and I wasn't going to admit it. You can
either roll up in a ball and let life take you or you can just take what comes
down the road and maintain integrity."
For twenty years, he fought to prove his innocence, uncovering shocking
secrets and a police investigation that may have been tainted from the start,
that would reveal the truth, and ultimately exonerate Ray.
[Click here for story]
almost half his life -- the rape of his own young children 25 years ago.
"If you did this to your own children, you know, you deserve to be locked
away," he said. But "I didn't do it and I wasn't going to admit it. You can
either roll up in a ball and let life take you or you can just take what comes
down the road and maintain integrity."
For twenty years, he fought to prove his innocence, uncovering shocking
secrets and a police investigation that may have been tainted from the start,
that would reveal the truth, and ultimately exonerate Ray.
[Click here for story]
| Cop Accused of Sexual Abuse: Was He Railroaded? |
Ken was falsely accused of sexually
abusing an 8-year-old. Years later she
admitted she lied, but Ken is still
considered a sex offender.
abusing an 8-year-old. Years later she
admitted she lied, but Ken is still
considered a sex offender.
| False rape claim woman jailed |
A Wick woman who made a false rape claim against her boyfriend in an act
of revenge was jailed for six months yesterday. Sheriff Andrew Berry told
Cheryl Fleming that she had caused a huge waste of police resources.
Fleming made the bogus claim as her way of getting back at David Moody
after they argued, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
The 39-year-old went to police after she and Mr Moody had consensual sex
at his home at Thurso on December 6.
[Click here for article]
of revenge was jailed for six months yesterday. Sheriff Andrew Berry told
Cheryl Fleming that she had caused a huge waste of police resources.
Fleming made the bogus claim as her way of getting back at David Moody
after they argued, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
The 39-year-old went to police after she and Mr Moody had consensual sex
at his home at Thurso on December 6.
[Click here for article]
| To Err Is Human, Especially in Child Abuse Cases |
A quick phone call to 1-800-FYI-3366 (National Center on Child Abuse &
Neglect) will show that 55 percent to 75 percent of all alleged child abuse
and neglect reports are unfounded. Of the same, about 8 percent are false,
made with deliberate, premeditated forethought to "get" someone. For every
four reports of alleged child abuse in America today, one is confirmed. That
one case is unacceptable, of course, but what happens to the other three
wounded innocents caught up in the throes of the system?
This writer was wrongly accused of molesting his 3-year-old daughter in
1985. Although the state of Florida dropped criminal charges against me and
I took countless tests to prove my innocence, I was denied normal contact
with my children by the family courts. And, because social workers and
therapists planted a seed that I "must have done something," my
now-20-year-old daughter still has her doubts.
[click here for article]
Neglect) will show that 55 percent to 75 percent of all alleged child abuse
and neglect reports are unfounded. Of the same, about 8 percent are false,
made with deliberate, premeditated forethought to "get" someone. For every
four reports of alleged child abuse in America today, one is confirmed. That
one case is unacceptable, of course, but what happens to the other three
wounded innocents caught up in the throes of the system?
This writer was wrongly accused of molesting his 3-year-old daughter in
1985. Although the state of Florida dropped criminal charges against me and
I took countless tests to prove my innocence, I was denied normal contact
with my children by the family courts. And, because social workers and
therapists planted a seed that I "must have done something," my
now-20-year-old daughter still has her doubts.
[click here for article]