Denominators Drive False‑Rape Rates

Reported prevalence of false rape accusations depends crucially on which cases investigators exclude from the denominator (baseless, unresolved, suspended). Recomputing classic datasets while removing unresolved/indeterminate cases raises the rate among adjudicated cases from the oft‑cited 2–8% to roughly the mid‑teens in the examples analyzed. — If public policy and media rely on headline prevalence numbers without clarifying inclusion rules, criminal‑justice policy and public attitudes toward complainants and suspects will be skewed.