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Child Sexual Abuse Allegations in the Context of Divorce: Issues for Mothers

1997; Oxford University Press; Volume: 27; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/oxfordjournals.bjsw.a011240

1468-263X

Cathy Humphreys,

Multicultural Socio-Legal Studies

The investigation and assessment of allegations of child sexual abuse constitute a difficult and contentious area for practitioners involved in this process. When these allegations emerge in the context of divorce, the problems of assessment appear to be compounded. This paper argues that when mothers raise concerns about child sexual abuse during divorce proceedings these are often construed as vindictive or misguided. Such constructions of mothers have significant implications for the protection, or lack of protection of children in these circumstances. The way in which this 'knowledge' about mothers has developed is explored and held up against the results of empirical studies which show that there is little basis for this construction of mothers. Possible explanations for this incongruity are suggested with a view to progressing child protection in this area. As the court cases go on I can see the hopelessness of the whole thing. It's getting stronger in me to want to take the law into my own hands. I wouldn't say it's revenge, it's not … I mean a mother protects its young. You wouldn't see a lioness letting something attack its young. (A mother expressing her desperation that the Family Court of Australia has ordered her to send her child on visits to her ex-husband who she believes sexually abused their child.)