How Common Are False Allegations of Family Violence Against Men?

Overview

The percentage of family violence allegations against men that are proven false in Australia is generally estimated to be between 5% and 9%, according to a range of studies and official reports. While individual research varies slightly, the consensus among experts — including judicial and academic reviews — is that intentionally false allegations are rare, occurring in roughly 1 in 20 cases.

False Allegation Rates (Proven False)

Most cited figures place the rate of proven false allegations at around 5% of all claims investigated.

Official Family Court reviews of child abuse allegations found that 9% were shown to be false. These arose from either misunderstandings or deliberate fabrication, and were made by both mothers and fathers.

Bench books and judicial guidance consistently assert that most family-violence allegations — including those made against men in family-law disputes — are substantiated by evidence or, at the very least, not proven to be deliberately fabricated.

Relevant sources:

• Victoria Police Fact Sheet: “Challenging Misconceptions About Sexual Offences” – https://www.police.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-01/FINAL-factsheet-for-web-Challenging-Misconceptions.pdf

• Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS): Allegations of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Family Law Children’s Proceedings – https://aifs.gov.au/research/research-reports/allegations-family-violence-and-child-abuse-family-law-childrens

• Australian Parliament Joint Committee on the Family Law System: Interim Report – https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Family_Law_System/FamilyLaw/Interim_Report/section?id=committees%2Freportjnt%2F024449%2F73117

Allegations Not Proven False (Best Estimates)

The majority of allegations that are not subsequently proven false are also not conclusively proven true. Many remain unsubstantiated due to limited evidence or ambiguous circumstances.

Research indicates that confirming evidence is found for 63%–74% of family-violence allegations in family-law proceedings. The remainder lack sufficient information for either confirmation or disproof.

Among allegations that are denied but not proven false, some may arise from misunderstandings, miscommunication, or mistaken belief rather than malicious fabrication.

Experts also note that false denials of true allegations are more common than deliberate false reports.

Key Points

• Proven false allegations of family violence against men are uncommon, estimated around 5%–9%.

• Most allegations not proven false remain unresolved or unsubstantiated — they cannot be assumed maliciously fabricated.

• Judicial and academic commentary recognises that some false or strategic claims occur in custody or property disputes, but such cases are considered rare.

Summary Table

Allegation Category	Estimated Percentage	Notes
Proven false allegations	5%–9%	Rare; supported by inquiry data
Allegations not proven false or true	~20%–30%	Largely unsubstantiated
Allegations with confirming evidence	63%–74%	Supported by some evidence

Interpretation

This summary reflects the best available data up to late 2024, drawn from governmental, academic, and judicial sources.

In practical terms, proven false allegations are rare, but unsubstantiated allegations are common — often due to the limited evidentiary standard at interim hearings and the complexity of family-violence claims.

The absence of proof should never be confused with proof of absence. As reform discussions continue, improving data transparency and investigative standards remains essential to ensure both safety and fairness for all parties.