NCJ Number
155800
Journal
The Advocate Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1995) Pages: 18-26
Date Published
1995
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Sex abuse accusations in child custody disputes are explored.
Abstract
This article discusses 31 indicators for the child and 24 indicators for the accused to be used in differentiating between true and false sex bias accusations. The author cautions that there is no cut-off point with regard to a specific number of indicators that should strongly suggest bona fide sexual abuse. Rather, these indicators should be viewed as on a continuum; the greater the number of indicators present, the greater the likelihood the child was sexually abused. In addition, the quality of indicators satisfied must be considered as well as the quantity of indicators. In some cases, only a small number of indicators may be satisfied, but each one is compellingly supportive of the conclusion that the child was or was not sexually abused. These indicators must not be considered in isolation from the indicators of the accuser and the alleged perpetrator. The results of this inquiry should be taken into account in the evolution of the sex abuse accusation. Footnotes