Fact check: #BelieveAllWomen, like Amber Heard, Casey Anthony, Elizabeth Coast, Crystal Mangum, and Carolyn Bryant.

1. Summary of the results

The original statement appears to use cherry-picked examples to discredit the "Believe Women" movement. Research shows that false allegations of sexual assault are extremely rare, comprising only 3-4% of reported cases ^[1]. The slogan "Believe Women" originated from the #MeToo movement and was intended to encourage taking women's allegations seriously, not as a mandate for blind belief without investigation ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

• The statement omits crucial statistical context: only 1 in 6 women report sexual assaults, and less than 2% of reported rapes result in charges or conviction ^[1].
• There are documented systemic barriers that discourage reporting, including:
• Lack of trust in legal systems
• Gender stereotypes
• Fear of cross-examination
• Risk of secondary trauma ^[1]
• False accusations can arise from multiple factors, including:
• Genuine mistakes
• Psychological factors
• Misunderstandings about consent
• In some cases, deliberate falsehoods ^{[3] [4]}

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

• The statement employs a rhetorical technique known as "cherry-picking" by focusing on a few high-profile cases while ignoring the broader statistical reality of sexual assault reporting.
• The statement misrepresents the "Believe Women" movement's actual message and intent ^[2].
• Cultural rape myths create a complex dynamic where:
• Most allegations are dismissed
• A small subset receives intense scrutiny
• Racial and cultural prejudices often influence how allegations are treated ^[5]

While cases like Crystal Mangum's false accusation in the Duke lacrosse case are real and documented ^[6], using these examples to discredit all women's testimonies ignores the overwhelming statistical evidence showing that false allegations are rare while unreported assaults are common ^[1].