Concerns are rising across Latin America as lawmakers in several countries propose legislation aimed at criminalizing false accusations related to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. The moves have sparked debate about the balance between protecting men from wrongful accusations and preserving legal safeguards for victims of abuse.
In Chile, Senator Vanessa Kaiser has become a prominent advocate for measures to shield men from what she describes as a surge in false allegations stemming from feminist-influenced gender violence laws. Kaiser has called for sanctions against individuals who make unfounded claims, asserting that men face undue suspicion simply because of their gender. “I want to defend you against the idea that, simply for being born male, you are guilty,” she stated in a recent Senate debate.
Similar legislative proposals are under consideration in Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru, where lawmakers have introduced or advanced bills that would increase penalties for false reporting and, in some cases, establish new legal procedures for handling such claims. In Bolivia, an amendment to Law 348—focused on combating violence against women—would impose prison sentences of up to six years for false allegations of gender-based violence. A separate bill aims to enhance penalties for false criminal accusations broadly, with harsher sentences for cases involving gender or sexual violence. Argentina is considering a bill that would raise maximum sentences from one to three years, extending up to six years for false claims related to serious crimes, including those of a gender-based nature. Chile is proposing a specialized process that could trigger consequences—including compensation and criminal charges—against those found responsible for false family court complaints. Peru has introduced similar measures targeting false accusations connected to violence against women or within families.
Supporters of these bills argue that they are necessary to uphold the presumption of innocence and curb abuse of the justice system. Bolivian Senator José Manuel Ormachea cited the need to “counterbalance” existing protections for women, while Kaiser described false accusations as a “tumour” causing significant harm to society.
However, critics warn that these measures risk undermining efforts to address widespread violence against women. Data from the region indicate that false accusations are exceedingly rare. According to official figures, cases deemed false represent a fraction of a percent of all reports in Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. For instance, in Bolivia, only 0.13% of cases filed in 2024 involved claims of false reporting, and in Argentina, approximately one in every 1,000 criminal cases investigated from 2023 to 2025 fell into this category. Furthermore, surveys reveal that the majority of gender-based violence incidents remain unreported—with only 12.1% of Chilean women who experienced sexual violence reporting the crime in 2024, and similarly low reporting rates for femicide victims in Argentina.
Women’s rights advocates caution that focusing on false accusations could deter actual victims from seeking justice. Paula Ávila-Guillén, director of the Women’s Equality Centre, highlighted that the narrative framing women as abusers of the system risks reversing progress made since the #MeToo movement. She noted fears that accusations, even if unsubstantiated, could lead to criminal penalties for complainants.
Advocates from the region emphasize that many survivors face significant obstacles in reporting abuse, including economic hardship, institutional barriers, and social stigma. Susana Chávez, director of Promsex in Peru, pointed out that victims often only file complaints after repeated or extreme violence and may abandon cases due to pressure from abusers or systemic inefficiencies.
Observers also see the legislative push as part of a broader conservative effort to roll back advances in women’s rights across Latin America. The campaigns target not only violence protections but also sexuality education, reproductive rights, and inclusive language policies. In Argentina, for example, the far-right government of President Javier Milei has dismantled key institutions dedicated to gender equality and sought to remove femicide as a distinct offense under criminal law.
These developments underscore the deep ideological divide within the region over gender policies, with competing narratives framing current protections either as essential rights or as overreach detrimental to men’s rights. As the bills progress through legislatures, the outcome will likely have significant implications for the legal and social landscape surrounding gender-based violence in Latin America.