Most people who experience domestic violence are not the stereotype of an innocent, battered victim. Most abusive relationships are mutually abusive to some degree. Either one can have suffered incidents of abuse and have still been abusive. But in the American narrative on abuse, they are discreet categories: abused or abusers, blameworthy or innocent, victims or oppressors. I'm just saying because I see this entirely missing in the current dialog, but can't be assed to do a proper write up, lol.

People mean to approach alleged victims with the "trust but verify approach." Trust them and investigate. If reasonable doubt persists, you would conclude a lack of belief on the matter--not assume it was a false allegation.