5 Things More Likely To Happen To You Than Being Falsely Accused Of Rape

1 in 4 women will be raped or sexually-assaulted in her lifetime, but instead of working on solutions to this problem that effects everyone, some folks like to derail the conversation by claiming false rape accusations are widespread. And because it's such a sensational thought, women are often accused of lying when they come forward about their rape or sexual assault. But using statistics from the FBI and Department of Justice, it's estimated that on an annual basis, the odds of the average straight man (the target group overwhelmingly concerned with this) in the U.S. being accused of rape are 2.7 million to 1. To put that in perspective, here are five things more likely to happen to you than being falsely accused of rape.

1. 5x as Likely to Win $10,000 in the Powerball Lottery (1 in 648,975.96)

Via orangeapplebanana.blogspot.com

Okay, not quite 5x as likely but close. If you're a man who is fearful of the odds of coming across a woman who will accuse you of rape, consider that buying just one lottery ticket a year gets you closer to winning $10,000 than you'll ever be in danger of the former.

2. 750x Times More Likely to Die From Alcohol Poisoning (1 in 3,598.05)

Via tenpointstogifindor.tumblr.com

The Center for Disease Control estimates there are 88,000 annual deaths from alcohol poisoning. Based on our projected current population of 314 million, the odds of dying from a way-too-fun night dramatically outweigh the odds of being falsely accused of rape.

3. 11x More Likely to Be Killed by Asteroid or Comet (1 in 250,000)

Via the-science-llama.tumblr.com

Think a big hunk of space rock isn't likely to kill you? You're probably right, but that's far more likely to happen than being falsely accused of rape. According to Prof. Stephen A. Nelson of Tulane University, you stand a 1 in 250,000 chance (lower limit: 1 in 3,000) of being killed by an asteroid or comet.

4. 631x More Likely to Become an NFL Player (1 in 4,278.06)

Via lobshots.com

Yes, you are more likely to play professional football than be falsely accused of rape. In 2013, there were 254 individuals selected in the NFL Draft and 1,086,627 boys played 11-man football in the US. Those numbers have been, more or less, similar for the past decade.

5. Men 82,000x More Likely to Be Raped (1 in 33)

Via buzzfeed.com

We end on a serious note. Because 1 in 33 men will be raped in his lifetime, men are 82,000x more likely to be raped than falsely accused of rape. It seems many of us would do well to pay more attention to how rape culture affects us all than be paranoid about false accusers.