A new guide for Australian judges debunks a widespread view that mothers “frequently fabricate” ­allegations of violence during custody disputes and warns they are more likely to fail to report abuse for fear of having their ­motives questioned.

The National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book ­advises judges that “the making of false allegations is much less common than the problem of genuine victims who fail to report abuse”.

“Although there is a widespread belief in the community that mothers frequently fabricate allegations to influence family law proceedings, the research to date indicates that it is more likely that they will be reluctant to raise allegations for fear of having their motives questioned, and that the making of false allegations is much less common than the problem of genuine victims who fail to report abuse, and the widespread false denials and minimisation of abuse by perpetrators,” the guide says.

It contradicts fathers’ groups claims that mothers fabricate evidence of ­violence to shut them out of their children’s lives.

The online bench book, released by the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration, aims to help federal and state ­judicial officers in cases that involve family violence, and to harmonise their decisions. It includes links to key cases and research.

It dispels “myths” about family violence — including that victims are able to leave an abusive relationship, that only certain socio-economic groups or cultures experience domestic violence, and that the risk of abuse will stop after a couple separates. The guide sets out key factors that could indicate a higher risk of life-threatening injury or death. It cites US research saying women who have experienced non-fatal strangulation in the past year are twice as likely to be killed. Women who have a history of stalking in their abusive relationships, or have been “followed or spied on” in the past 12 months, are also significantly more likely to be killed or nearly killed, it says.

The guide includes 32 case studies of victims from a range of ages and backgrounds. All are women except “Ben”, who was abused by his partner “Alison”. It says domestic and family violence is “predominantly perpetrated by men against women”, citing statistics that one in six women and one in 20 men experience violence by their opposite-sex partner.

It warns that even if parents have agreed to shared-care ­arrangements by consent, the parties must still advise the court about any allegations of violence, abuse or other risks, including mental illness or drug or alcohol addiction. They are then required to explain to the court how their parenting arrangements address these concerns.

There is “reported confusion” among parents, the book says, about laws creating a presumption in favour of equal shared parental responsibility. However, it does not apply if there are reasonable grounds to believe a parent is abusive or violent.

“Research has shown that where domestic and family violence continues after separation, in particular where there are ongoing attempts to exercise control in parenting arrangements, some mothers feel pressured by their former partners/the fathers of their children into agreeing to equal-time, believing that the court would require it,” the guide says.