BY OLUWASEYI IBUOYE
In recent years, the movement against gender-based violence (GBV) has given millions of women and girls the courage to speak out, advocate for justice, and demand safer communities. It has reshaped public conversations, pushed for better policies, and exposed long-hidden patterns of abuse. However, as this movement gains momentum, we must also confront a delicate but important truth: false GBV allegations, though statistically rare, can cause real, long-lasting damage. False allegations of GBV are not just misunderstandings; they can shatter lives.
Take the widely publicised case of actor Johnny Depp. In 2018, following domestic violence allegations made by his ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp was dropped from major film projects, including the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Even though he later won a defamation case in court and presented evidence that cast doubt on the allegations, the impact on his career and reputation had already taken root. The public had made its judgment long before the legal system could respond.
In Nigeria, a more personal and sobering account was shared in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo. Dr. Olugbenga, a respected medical professional, and his wife detailed how a false rape allegation turned their lives upside down. The case sparked investigations in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, leading to professional scrutiny and emotional trauma. Despite being cleared by medical regulatory bodies in both countries, the...
costing the Department of Veterans Affairs $3 million by making false claims to get his scuba school into a GI Bill-funded program, the Third Circuit held in a precedential ruling Tuesday. . . . La...