Foreword

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Innocence should never be a casualty of assumption and bias. Butterfly is not just the story of one young man—it is the story of thousands. Across the United States and around the world, men and boys are being falsely accused of sexual assault, and the consequences are devastating. These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a growing crisis that demands attention, reform, and courage.

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False accusations have led to arrests, expulsions, public shaming, vigilante actions, irreparable reputational damage, and prison sentences—even in the absence of evidence. And this speaks only to the accused. The ripple effects on their families and loved ones are profound and heartbreaking.

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As a passionate advocate for the falsely accused, I’ve spoken directly with representatives from the Office on Violence Against Women, hoping to raise awareness and push for change. What I encountered instead was silence—dismissal of the issue’s gravity and a refusal to acknowledge the harm inflicted on innocent individuals. When institutions designed to uphold justice ignore one side of the story, they fail us all.

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This book does not seek to silence survivors. It seeks to amplify a truth too often ignored: justice must be impartial. Every accusation deserves a thorough, evidence-based investigation— not blind belief. When we abandon due process, we risk replacing justice with vengeance, and truth with narrative. 

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​The young man at the heart of this story is not alone. He stands among countless others whose lives have been shattered by lies. Their pain is real. Their fear is real. And their voices deserve to be heard.

 

This book is a call to action—for fairness, for reform, and for a justice system that protects the innocent as fiercely as it pursues the guilty. Let it remind us that integrity is not a luxury—it is the foundation of any society that claims to value truth.

 

Read with conviction. Listen with empathy. And above all, question what you think you know.

 

-Lori DeBolt

Co-Founder, Advocates for the Falsely Accused

Mother of a son wrongfully convicted

Friend to many across the world who have endured this injustice

Nona to three loving grandsons who deserve a world where truth stands strong​​​​

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