False Abuse Allegations - Adoption and Foster Care - by Rita Laws PhD - Why False Allegations Occur

More of this Feature •Part 1: Why False Allegations Occur •Part 2: Checklist for Parents •Part 3: Internet Resources

Part 1: Why False Allegations Occur

by Rita Laws, Ph.D.
© 2002, Reprinted by permission

The first version of this checklist appeared in the book: "Adopting and Advocating for the Special Needs Child," by L. Anne Babb and Rita Laws (Greenwood Press). This list is not complete, but meant to be a starting point.

"The best interests of a child" is a phrase that has been defined by the federal government as "safety first." Too many children in America are not safe. Child abuse is real. Real child abuse is under-reported. Child abuse is a deadly evil.

Child abuse is also sometimes mis-reported. In fact, one-third to half of all reports may end up as unfounded.

Being accused of child abuse when you are innocent is a nightmare that many cannot comprehend who have not lived it. False abuse allegation is a life-shattering catastrophe. And it happens to foster and adoptive parents all the time.

Why? Because many of the kids they care for have emotional, mental and behavioral problems. Some of them will use false abuse accusations as a weapon or a tool to get their way. A few are just trying to get attention. Since some of them have been abused in the past by former caregivers, the details of their accusations can sound very convincing.



Next page > What You Can Do: A Checklist > Page 1, 2, 3

© 2002, Rita Laws, Ph.D.

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