Pittsburgh police say that the woman who alleged an attacker who mugged her and cut a "B" into her cheek after seeing a John McCain bumper sticker on her car has admitted to making the story up.

Her story was invented, and its racist overtones — allegations of a black man robbing her, branding her with the initial of a black candidate — are deplorable.  But we should refocus our attention on the widespread epidemic of violence against women that has, unfortunately, not been made up and should not be ignored in this election season.

Read more about the candidates’ positions on fighting violence against women:

• Amie Newman, A Culture of Violence Against Women: More Than Rape Kits

And learn about the disturbing relationship between dating violence and unintended pregancy:

• Esta Soler, Young Women and Sexual Coercion: Reproductive Health Realities