Perceptions of False Rape Reports and Rape Myth Acceptance Toward Women Victims: Understanding Public Skepticism Toward Rape Claims

Although prior research has focused on criminal justice personnel’s views of false rape allegations, the general public’s perceptions remain understudied. This study examines how U.S. adults estimate the prevalence of false rape reports involving female victims and identifies the demographic and attitudinal factors associated with these estimates. In a national survey of 1,244 U.S. adults, respondents estimated that 15.7% of rape reports involving women were false, nearly 50% higher than estimates for men, and endorsed an average of three rape myths about women. Younger age, heterosexual orientation, residing in the South, and lower education predicted higher estimates of false reporting. Stronger rape myth acceptance, adherence to traditional gender role attitudes, and higher estimates of false reports involving men further predicted inflated estimates for women. Findings highlight how public skepticism may undermine victim credibility, reinforce rape myths, and shape responses to disclosure and reporting.