A false statement that harms another person's character is referred to as what?

The concept you are describing pertains to defamation, which encompasses both slander and libel. Defamation is a broader term that refers to any false statement that damages a person's character, reputation, or standing in the community.

In the context of defamation, slander specifically refers to false spoken statements, while libel pertains to false written statements. Given that the question focuses on a false statement that harms another person's character, the most accurate term to describe this overall concept is defamation, which encapsulates both slander and libel.

When evaluating the choices, slander is specifically about spoken words, so it would not broadly cover all types of harmful statements. Assault, on the other hand, relates to physical acts and does not pertain to harm through false statements at all. Thus, the correct understanding of the terminology will clarify that defamation is the overarching category in which slander and libel fall.