Friday, March 28, 2008

False Allegations of Abuse



This is a frightening symptom isn't it? When my kids were younger they would threaten or make minor allegations. I'd hold their hand as we walked in a room and they would throw themselves onto the floor in the kitchen and slide across and yell "Why did you push me?" I'd stop and think "Oh my! What happened?" And then realize I didn't do a thing. One came home one day and said a teacher had bad touched him. As he told the story further, the teacher actually tripped and fell and her hand accidentally touched him on the way down. Poor woman! He had no compassion whatsoever for her fall. I crossed the street with one when quite young and insisted he hold my hand. He said I held it too tight and he would call the police. I said "Go ahead and I will tell them you are trying to cross a dangerous street all alone." They have threatened to call social services. I tell them the number (memorize yours) Threatened to call the police. I ask if they would like to have me dial. Before you get worried, this would be for "Making" them do chores, finish homework or some other activity they didn't want to do. There are children who will make very serious allegations. I know of a girl who would scratch or hit her arm and then tell people her parents did it. I know many parents have been accused of sexual abuse when they did nothing. In trying to protect our nations children, the parent seems to have become guilty until proven innocent. If you have a child who you are concerned about making false allegations, write EVERYTHING down with the dates and times. Do not allow anyone to be in a room alone with that child, especially opposite gender parents. In our case, when our boys said most of their smaller allegations I told everyone. I told teachers and told them to let me know and that I in turn would let them know if anything was said about them. You need to make people who work with your child aware so they can protect themselves as well. If your child has this issue it is time for you to be hypervigilent.

5 comments:

Denise said...

At the age of 4, we are not quite there yet - but I know we will be one day. I can already see her doing it, but thankfully her knowledge and ability has not yet developed to that level. It is a HUGE fear of mine though. I have already seen how this illness turns others away (people you thought would always love and support you), so it makes me nervous to think how intimidating and persuasive she will be to perfect strangers who don't know me at all. Scary stuff!

Aves @ Call of the Phoebe said...

scary!!!

aves

Rachelle said...

Very scary! So hard to keep up with them at times.

Renee said...

I know when my A starts screaming things like "Don't hit Me!" as I walk past her, I go and open the windows so our neighbors can hear and I sit on the porch. She then stops it.

Brenda said...

Mine have also done things so minor as, when we are in public, if I touch their arm to say "OW'" loudly.