False Accusations of Child Abuse

San Jose False Accusations Lawyer And Santa Clara Child Abuse Attorney

Every child has the right to feel safe and to be brought up in a loving home. Tragically, that is not always the case. Each year, over 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children. This works out to one report of child abuse every ten seconds. While every possible step should be taken to protect the youngest members of our society, reports of abuse are sometimes untrue. A false accusation of child abuse can take place by mistake when someone misinterprets an interaction between an adult and a child. Other false accusations are made with malicious intent. In some situations, false accusations of child abuse are perpetuated by parents or guardians in a divorce or custody battle. If you find yourself being fraudulently accused of child abuse, keep the following things in mind.

Healthy Boundaries

Many accusations of child abuse, either physical, psychological, or sexual, begin when an adult is left alone with children. In order to prevent suspicion, professionals who work with children should take special care not to be in compromising situations with them. For example, coaches or daycare workers should not accompany children into the bathroom. If a child needs assistance in a situation like this, it may be a good idea to have another adult present. For parents, it is important to be careful not to treat a child like a friend. For example, telling sexually-suggestive jokes to a child or engaging in aggressive horse play can arouse suspicion.

Be Cooperative

If you are accused of child abuse as a parent, you will probably be investigated by child protective services. In addition to employing the help of medical or mental health professionals, protective services may investigate your home. It can be absolutely humiliating to have a case worker poking around your house, but complying with the investigation will help you in the long run. Being accused of hurting your own children is terribly offensive, but it is imperative that an accused parent cooperate and keep an even temper.

Hire a Knowledgeable Attorney

It can be devastating to be accused of a crime you did not commit. At our law firm, we believe every defendant is innocent until proven guilty. If you are facing child abuse charges, contact an experienced San Jose criminal defense attorney. Call 408-277-0377 to schedule a confidential consultation with Wesley J. Schroeder, Attorney at Law, today.

Sources:

Child Abuse Statistics

https://www.thespruce.com/if-youre-wrongly-accused-of-child-abuse-2997656