What would you do if you were wrongly accused of abusing your child? What would you do if social services decided to conduct an investigation for alleged child abuse? What do you do if your child accidentally injures himself, resulting in a spiral fracture that arouses the suspicions of medical personnel?
Steps
Step 1. If your baby gets injured, always take him to a hospital immediately
Especially if the injury is severe, or if the child is complaining of pain. Parents are often accused of child abuse when they underestimate the severity of an injury and wait too long to run for cover.
Step 2. If possible, without aggravating the child's situation, try to present him with clean hands and face, well-combed hair and neat clothes
Hospital staff must think your child is well cared for.
Step 3. Know that the main warning signs of child abuse for hospital staff and social workers may include an unemployed or unpaid single parent, unkempt appearance, obvious alcohol and drug abuse, refusal to provide information such as the name of the child's pediatrician, negative comments about the child, and evasive answers
Step 4. Specific clinical problems (for example osteogenesis imperfecta or some bone abnormalities) could lead medical staff to suspect that the child is a victim of abuse
If your child is suffering from physical problems that can easily be mistaken for the consequences of abuse, file their medical records right away.
Step 5. Find a health care practitioner who loves you and your baby and trust him
If doubts arise, it could act as a guarantor.
Step 6. When reporting the details of the incident, provide a specific and detailed account of the incident
If possible, get a witness who can vouch for you and, if necessary, can also provide a detailed statement of the fact.
Step 7. Don't confer with the police alone
If you are accused of child abuse, have a lawyer represented.
Step 8. Do not allow your child to become a victim of interrogation
Ask for the intervention of a lawyer specializing in the treatment of children's rights during the interview. Children often suffer further violence when they are subjected to multiple interrogations about a painful experience. Make sure any interviews are videotaped.
Step 9. Get your attorney to have immediate access to your child's interview recording
Have it examined by an expert and make sure the interviewee has followed nationally recognized forensic guidelines and has not behaved coercively or aggressively towards the child.
Step 10. When facing a legal case of child abuse allegations, never accept the plea bargain
The latter would result in the admission of guilt for a crime that is not tolerated in prison and you would risk being attacked or killed. Depending on the type of charge, accepting a plea deal could also result in your being registered for life in a database of sex offenders, which would seriously damage your reputation and freedom of movement. Do whatever it takes to prove your innocence.
Step 11. Hire a good lawyer
Although a lawyer fee is quite expensive, go to any hearing accompanied by an excellent lawyer who will fight with all his might and will know how to mediate an acceptable solution with the other party, if all else fails.
Step 12. You are playing a game of "poker" with the opposing side
Collect "cards" or evidence to use to your advantage to get what you want.
Step 13. Find out about all the evidence against your family before agreeing to any agreement with the prosecution or social services
This includes evidence that your attorney should look into, such as your child's recorded interview. Don't just rely on a police report and a statement of what happened. The injunctive order to remove the child from the home will likely present evidence of what happened to the authorities, and there will be some who will not expose the truth in a statement or police report.
Step 14. Thoroughly research the evidence against you on the Internet
Urban myths about what is indicative of child abuse, such as spiral fractures, are not supported by current medical research. Having more in-depth medical knowledge can help you fight the allegations.
Step 15. Obtain letters certifying that you are a reliable parent from persons experienced in child abuse and maltreatment
These could be the attending physician, teachers, counselors, etc. Your best friend will not be considered a legal expert by the court.
Step 16. After agreeing with the judge to get your baby back, work hard to do whatever is asked of you
Many parents have lost their children, not because they are really guilty of the crime they have been accused of, but because they do not want or are unable to do what is asked.
Step 17. Be courteous, cooperative, and willing to comply with requests from social services and other agencies
If you have any issues with any of these, let your lawyer know.
Step 18. After your child returns to your care, he or she will need counseling to overcome the trauma
Contact professionals.
Step 19. Relate to social workers with courtesy and respect
They will go out of their way to help families in need and will provide you with great advice on how to properly develop parenting skills.
Advice
- If you have survived the accusation of child maltreatment and your reputation is safe, turn your negative experience into something positive. If your city does not have a listening and support center, work within your community to get one. Get involved in the life of a child who has been abused. * Committed to changing the laws so that children are not victims of badly conducted investigations and aggressive interviews.
- During the investigation seek support from friends and family who can be of emotional and financial help. It is impossible to manage it all by yourself.
- Tell your story to others so they can learn from your experience. Have patience and try to forgive and forget.
- Know that some people may not believe your innocence and will avoid you. Think carefully before coming out of the closet.
- Unfortunately, many people working on the case are lying and distorting the facts. But regardless of the seriousness of the allegations and how bad they make you, stay cold and stay away from drugs and alcohol. If you make mistakes, because of your fragile emotional state, you will only confirm the false accusations. Keep your nerve for your kids because they are counting on you.
- Read up! Know what child abuse is and how to avoid it. For more information on the "warning signs" of child abuse, go to Google and type in "warning signs" + "child abuse". There are numerous articles related to this topic.
