Family Law Reform Association/S.P.C.A.

From the Family Law Reform Association which is a part of the Shared Parenting Council of Australia comes this piece of advice posted on Familylawwebguide.com.au in regard to allegations of Child Sexual Abuse.
This is truly frightening stuff and no wonder as a lot of these people have been accused of this very thing which to our knowledge, no information exists that the allegations had been disproven.

Child Sexual Abuse Allegations

The spectre of child sexual abuse allegations hangs over all men these days. The existence of a small group of child molesters in our community, whom may in the past have benefited from the unwillingness of the community to confront the issue, and the enormous damage they did to children under this cloak of anonymity and protection, is something that concerns us all.

However, as is often the case, there appears to have been an overreaction in the opposite direction. Some in our community seem to have been too eager to see child abuse everywhere and have launched a crusade in response. As a result, many fathers, as well as grandfathers, relatives, teachers, coaches, scout leaders and others who deal with children, feel they must be careful lest their actions and affection for children be misinterpreted and leave them vulnerable to false allegation.

The situation is much worse for separated fathers. The emotional strain, bitterness and pressure upon people at this time brings out the worst in some and for others makes them willing to believe their former partner capable of actions which in more rational times they would not have contemplated.

At least that is the way it seems. Most people connected with Family Law hear a great variety of improbable allegations. If the allegations involve anything other than sex and children, they are usually dismissed. However, because they do involve sex and children, they often seem to assume an importance far beyond that which they deserve.

Once the allegation is made, it usually assumes central importance in the dispute between separated parents. The Family Court attempts to deal with the issue as best it can with limited resources. Judges have an overriding duty to protect children. As a result, contact between the children and the accused parent is usually terminated, or allowed under humiliating and restricted conditions of supervision by an outsider or an agency, until the matter can be given a full hearing. The matter is often given priority. For those who can afford it, a child psychiatrist or psychologist can be engaged as a court expert to investigate the allegations.

Often the allegation is debunked. However, in many cases, because of the decision of the court or more often because the matter never reaches a hearing, the allegation effectively terminates the relationship between the child and the parent, often irrevocably and permanently.

Without wishing to simplify a difficult issue, it must be said that allegations made in the midst of family law proceedings should be viewed sceptically. Usually they involve children too young to give an explanation, or of an age where they are more subject to influence and suggestion. In the majority of family law child abuse allegations, the allegations are either untrue, capable of reasonable explanation, or at the very least represent an aberration of behaviour which does not justify the gross interference or termination of the relationship between the child and the accused, which usually occurs.