The Do’s and Don’ts of False Allegations of Child Abuse

As people are becoming more aware of child abuse, more and more reports of possible abuse are being done as well. Conscientious journalists are constantly taking the pain to protect children. Not all reports of child abuse are substantiated, however. At times, even when the reports were made with good faith, deeper investigation reveals that the accusations made were false. In other situations, false allegations are intentionally made in order to harm the subject of the allegations, like in cases of bitter divorce in which custody of children is contested.

If you see yourself as the victim of such false allegations, whether from an embittered spouse or ex-spouse, or a well-meaning source, you should take immediate counter-action.With these following tips and with the help of an expert legal counsel, you can head in the right direction.

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THE DO’s

Do your best to prevent the possibility of false allegations by avoiding leaving the kids without the presence of another adult.  Daycare workers, coaches, scout leaders who could be the target of false allegation can lessen the possibility of those charges sticking by having another adult present who can confirm nothing inappropriate happened.

Try to resolve the custody disputes peacefully in order to avoid the possibility of an angry spouse or ex-spouse throwing false allegations in order to gain custody.

Avoid engaging in any such act that can be deemed as inappropriate when dealing with kids like making a sexually suggestive comment, roughhousing, telling dirty jokes, or when engaging in overly aggressive horseplay.

Hire an experienced attorney if someone imposes false allegations on you. Even if you know that truth will prevail, or the accuser will calm down and retract, it’s crucial that you consult with an attorney who understands the legal issues and the system involved and can protect your interests in the best way possible.

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Educate yourself regarding the subject of false allegations of child abuse so that you have a better understanding of the situation, can protect yourself, and can work as a partner with your attorney.

Contact your attorney with your concern and questions, and keep him/her apprised of any new development.

Be in touch with your friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family members who are willing to testify on your behalf.

Maintain a positive relationship with the kids when the allegations arise out of custody dispute and know that the kids are not responsible for the false allegations and turmoil. Even if they say things that support allegations, understand that false accusation could have been carefully planted in your children’s minds.

Understand that allegations of child abuse should be taken seriously and investigated. Even when you know that in your case the accusations are false.  In many cases, they are not, so, further investigation is a must.

THE DON’Ts

Never abuse any kid emotionally, physically, or sexually.

Avoid putting yourself in unnecessary situations that can give rise to suspicion, like by accompanying children to the washroom, changing clothes, or bathing them. And if your job demands such activities, its always best that another adult is also present during all circumstances that can be wrongly interpreted or present.

Avoid being passive if false accusations are thrown on you. Take quick action to protect yourself.

Don’t be afraid to raise the question to your attorney before retaining him as your case progresses.

Never admit anything that you have not done, even if it seems appropriate to do so. A conviction for child abuse has long-lasting, and far-reaching consequences. It can even have an adverse effect on your future employment, relationships, and your future goals in general.

Avoid losing temper with the authorities who are involved in your case. No matter how angry may the situation makes you, losing control can be used as an evidence to support the allegations.

Don’t give up. It can be the ugliest battle of your life, however overcoming and disproving the false allegations of child abuse can be without a doubt worth the effort.

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Seek for a Free Case Review from a Legal Expert

If you have been falsely accused of child abuse allegations by your spouse, family member, or any mandated reporter, you likely have a lot of questions. While this can be a devastating phase for you, let the legal expert help you along the way. A family law attorney with the necessary background and relevant experience can review your case free of charge and will assist you to devise a plan of action going forward.