Table 1.

Sources of False Allegations of Abuse5

Cultural beliefs and investigative biases
Ideological agendas
Judicial and legislative changes
Moral crusades
Suggestive interviewing
Misinterpretation of real events
Miscommunications regarding sexual consent
Cognitive biases
Individual motives and drivers
Self-serving false narratives of abuse
Providing an alibi
Seeking revenge or retribution
Obtaining sympathy and attention
Financial gain
Sincerely believed false allegations
Partly true allegations
Parental alienation syndrome and custody disputes
Factitious disorder and Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MCA)
False confessions