False domestic violence claims typically happen when the alleged victim, who is making up the story, has something to gain by doing so. They are trying to use the claims as a tool to get what they want. Many claims of violence are real, and those should never be discounted. However, courts need to consider whether there is a reason for a false accusation to be made.
One of the most common times that this happens, experts point out, is during a divorce. These days, you don’t need a specific reason to get divorced. Therefore, the false claims aren’t usually an effort to end the marriage. More often than not, they center around child custody.
After all, courts want both parents to stay involved with their children after a divorce, and they’re hesitant to rule any other way unless the child’s safety comes into question. Therefore, a parent who wants to get sole custody and knows they’re going to lose that bid may make up allegations of domestic violence and abuse in order to sway the case in their favor.
In some cases, they make it up entirely. In others, they take things out of context or misrepresent things that may have happened so that they appear far worse than they really were. For instance, if you touched your spouse’s shoulder while arguing, you may not have thought anything of it, but they may try to spin it as abuse.
If you have been accused of domestic violence, there’s a lot on the line. You need to know what legal options you have.