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Abstract: 

Do victims tell the truth about sexual assault? That question is frequently raised among professionals and the general public alike. False allegations, case unfounding, and victim recantation are three terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct from one another. In this article, these terms are defined and the distinctions between them made explicit. Reasons for victim recantation are described, including internal and external influences, as well as broader system and sociocultural factors. False allegations and case unfounding are also explored.

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Affiliations:  1: Oregon Attorney General Sexual Assault Task Force.