United Kingdom

There are now over 150,000 children and their families involved in false accusations of child abuse in the U.K. every year. Such false accusations are being made for mistaken, mischievous, malicious, and monetary reasons. The child protection authorities are not concerned that such a large number of children are being severely harmed by the investigations into such false accusations and simply take the view that such cases are not false but ‘unproven’. To them, mere suspicion and opinions are fact and even when such accusations are proven to be entirely false and wrong, they will not issue an apology or verbal or written exoneration so the child and family can clear their names and remove the stigma. The following are some guidelines to follow if a false accusation of child abuse is made about you:- 1.RECORDING – You must keep a record of everything that takes place. Every time child protection workers call and what they say. This will be invaluable later when memories fade and to compare with their record of what took place. Always have a friend or relative present as a witness to what is said. The CPW may object to this but be very insistent. If you can, make an audio or video recording of the meeting – this is perfectly legal and the CPW will only object to it if they have something they want to say but don’t want recording; 2.WHAT YOU SAY – Be extremely careful in what you say to CP workers. Their job is investigating child abuse but they will not issue you with a caution that “Whatever you say will be written down and may be used in evidence against you in Child Protection Conferences and Family Courts. So whatever you say will be recorded by them (though not contemporaneously), and will be used against you – it will probably be a major part of their evidence. (and many parents state that they very often find that their statements have been fabricated, distorted and embellished by the CP workers). You do not have to explain how your child may have been injured and you should restrict you comments to simple `Yes’ or `No’ or `No comment’ or `I don’t know’ or `I disagree”. Be cooperative but do not answer questions you have not been asked and do not volunteer information or you will find that `fabrication, distortion, and embellishment’ will happen again); . 3.ACCESS TO RECORDS – Apply as soon as possible for access to all manual and computer records held by Social Services, Education and Health Authorities, Hospitals, Schools, Family Doctor’s, under the Data Protection Act 1998. They are required by law to produce such records within 40 days. Ask for a copy of any important documents or the whole file if you wish. Look for gaps in the records e.g. references to letters which may have been removed etc. Apply every three months for access to your records so you are up-to-date on what they are recording; 4.FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF FABRICATING OR INDUCING ILLNESS IN A CHILD / MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME BY PROXY – Remember firstly that such allegations are made as a cover up for medical negligence, errors, or incompetence. So a doctor or other health worker is trying to blame YOU for their mistakes. Again, whilst being cooperative, say as little as possible and refrain from giving an explanation or you will find your own words used against you. Concentrate your efforts in finding out what the medical error, negligence, or incompetence is and who is responsible. If you can find the real culprit and what they have done, bring a complaint against them to their professional body and to their employing body, You will need to marshal your facts very carefully because they will be fighting for their jobs and career which to them is far more important than you losing your children; 5.COMPLAINTS – obtain copies of all regulations and guidance which govern the work of CP workers and if they fail to follow such guidance then get a copy of the Complaints Procedures (not the little leaflets) and make a Complaint to their employers and to their professional body. Make only one complaint at a time and keep it as simple as possible, setting out what the regulation/procedure is that they have broken and attaching any documentary evidence you may have and requesting that the complaint be investigated by an independent investigator. Attempts will be made to try to get you to resolve your complaint with the CP workers manager – this never works as the managers will never find their staff to be in the wrong and will not criticise their staff. Managers will always be loyal to their staff and are not in any way independent or impartial. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, go to the next stage in the procedures – eventually you can take the matter to the Ombudsman if you do not obtain satisfaction. This is the system, it does not work very well but it is the only one there is so use it to the fullest. 6.SUPPORT – You will need to obtain as much support as possible from relatives, friends, other professionals, local and national politicians, media etc. Do not be ashamed that you have been accused – make it plain to everyone that the accusation is false and wrong. Keeping quiet only benefits your accusers. The CP Workers will try to cut you off from your support even to the extent of seeking Gagging Orders in the Courts, so you will have to be persistent and determined in keeping such support. Members of Parliament only take note of an issue when they receive 9 (nine) letters on the subject – so get your supporters, including supportive professionals, to write to your MP and complain. If your MP is of no benefit to you, at least it makes him/her aware of the enormity of the problem of false accusations of child abuse in the U.K. and the harm it is causing to innocent children and families and hopefully there will eventually be laws made which make such false accusations a criminal offence, as in Ireland and certain States in America.