Hampton Roads Publishing Company Description: This 215-page book is based on the author's odyssey through our child protection agency and courts, and vividly details the disarray and dysfunction endemic to both. The book indicates how our system of child and parent protection is unwittingly trashing children's best resource, the family. The book opens with a foreword by Ralph Underwager and then
presents four detailed cases studies of false allegations made in the divorce
and custody context. The author then describes commonalities in these cases
and makes suggestions for accused parents. He devotes a chapter to the effect
on a child of being embroiled in a false accusation and then critically
discusses the use of anatomical dolls, which are often used in the
investigation of these cases. Next, he describes the typical behaviors of
personnel in the agencies and courts and gives examples of the ways in which
child protection and mental health professionals have acted neither
competently nor responsibly. The final chapters consist of practical
suggestions and resources for the falsely accused parent. The book closes with
three useful appendices and a short but helpful bibliography. Discussion: This book is a useful guide in how to respond to a false charge of child abuse, although readers should recognize that each state's laws and policies may differ. The brief foreword by Ralph Underwager is well-written, sane, sensible and compassionate. The book provides many actual examples and critically discusses the behavior of the various professionals who become involved in these cases. The chapter on the effects of a false accusation on the child is particularly important since this is often overlooked, both in actual practice and in the books and articles about sexual abuse. The police, social workers, and mental health professionals seldom appear to consider the consequences to the child if they make a mistake and treat a nonabused child as if the child had been abused. Such an experience is not innocuous or benign, but can be extremely destructive to the child as well as to the relationship with the accused parent. The book definitely accomplishes its purpose, which is to acquaint the reader with the horrors of false charges of sexual abuse, particularly in the divorce and custody context, and with how unprepared most attorneys are for defending such charges. The book is highly recommended not only for falsely accused parents, but also for attorneys, judges, child protection agencies, police officers, and mental health professionals. Reviewed by LeRoy G. Schultz, Professor of Social Work, West Virginia University.
|
