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False Allegations in Child Sexual Abuse: The Pattern of Referral in an Area Where Reporting is Not Mandatory

NCJ Number
136755
Journal
Children and Society Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1991) Pages: 111-122
Author(s)
G Anthony; J Watkeys
Date Published
1991
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study considers all referrals received by child health, social services, and police of suspected child sexual abuse between 1986 and 1989 in South Glamorgan, Wales. The data are used to examine the incidence and factors associated with false allegations.
Abstract
A total of 410 children were referred for suspected child sexual abuse. Of these, 197 children were found to have been abused, and 153 cases were unsubstantiated. Of the unsubstantiated cases, 18 percent were found to be false allegations while half were false and malicious. Many of the false and malicious cases were opened by adults involved in custody disputes. The remaining 90 cases arose because of professional or family concern. The findings showed that children who made false allegations were usually the victims of abuse and did not identify the true abuser. The pattern in Wales, where reporting is not mandatory, was similar to that found in the U.S. where suspected child sexual abuse must be reported. 7 tables and 14 references