Injustice Done To Children And Parents
In the UK, every year, innocent mums are being accused of abusing their children without being given the opportunity to fight their case. However, it turns out that parents have relatively few rights and opportunities to defend themselves once their children have been taken away.
So, what can we do to change the law?
Some mums ARE innocent!
It didn't seem that long ago when it was unheard of to remove children from their mother's custody. Children needed their mothers maybe more than needing their own fathers. So, how could this suddenly be happening?
What about the poor innocent mums who despite protesting loudly at the so-called charges, still lose all rights to their children? Why aren't they given the right and opportunity to fight to keep their children if taken to court?
The Isle of Squid
Children taken into care statistics
Over the last 10 years the number of children under the age of one month taken into care has increased from 500 to 1,300. Terrifying statistics even though the figure is still relatively low.
Should the UK law be changed...
My opinion is, of course, with John Hemming.
All courts should have a judge and jury.
All those accused of whatever crime should have the right and opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.
As the law stands now, no jury is present in a family court. This means that parents are rarely given the right to defend themselves before the decision to remove their children from their care has been taken.
John Hemming is a Liberal Democrat MP who is campaigning for the law to be changed thus enabling parents to fight for their rights.
Are you with John Hemming or the law as it stands now? Should family courts in the UK be given a Judge and a Jury?
Should the UK law be changed that allows parents to be given a Judge and Jury if their child has been taken away from them?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byThe law should not be changed. It's perfectly okay the way it is.
CoolFoto says:
I don't know about UK law, but, here in the States, most domestic cases are not allowed juries, either. Just because there is no jury does NOT mean that the accused doesn't have a chance to defend themselves. They still have the right to be represented by a lawyer and to testify in court.
Are you SURE that parents don't have the right to defend themselves in the UK?
Posted September 23, 2009
I'm with John Hemming! It's not fair that parents are not given the chance to fight their case!
Norman Perry says:
yes
Posted November 20, 2009
marie holdaway says:
yes the law should be changed soon as possible so innocent mothers can have the right to a fair trial in family court`s to defend theirself it should be open court`s with a judge and a jury so you got the right to defend yourself
Posted October 11, 2009
marie holdaway says:
mj says im with john hemmings100%that the law in family courts should be changed im a innocent mother who was falsely acused of harming my child by social services and the judge the conspiracy i had against me no one know from mj
Posted October 11, 2009
kerrie says:
yes, definately. im currently being accused of hurting my baby, which i know full well i have done nothing wrong but how do i prove that im innocent!!! Im pretty stuck unless my now ex decides to own up! Its wrong that we can get our kids taken away from us but yet we cant prove we are innocent.
Posted October 10, 2009
jess says:
yes they should be able to fight for their rights!!!!! my sister is bein falsly accused of child abuse. there is no effidence, no facts, and its been goin on for 18th months and she isnt allowed her children back, an xray of her youngest son was sent to the hospital but it was indeed some other childs xrays! so whats to say there was any injuries in the first place! its discusting and its been guilty unti proven innocent from the start what happend to innocent until proven guilty!!! shes now jus had a baby and she will be taken off her within a week its tearing our family apart with no evidence and were not aloud to speak our minds its discraceful the systems an absolute joke!! they waste their times on innocent people wen cases like "BABY P" r left unheard and an innocent child dies because they are two interested in blaming innocent peple than finding the real culprits of abuse!!!!!!
Posted August 30, 2009
A Voice for Children Campaign
We help everybody we can who comes to us asking for help in THEIR battles with "Child Protective Services".
A Voice For Children Helps Parents FALSELY ACCUSED Of Child Abuse & The ELIMINATION Of Corrupt Officials, Judges & Bureaucrats.
Read more about the campaign on Love for Life or the A Voice for Children Website.
A child's hand is for holding
not for leading away from
Elusive Innocence: Survival Guide for the Falsely Accused
Elusive Innocence: Survival Guide for the Falsely Accused
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/11/2009)
Elusive Innocence assists parents wrongly accused of abuse and their attorneys, as well as child protective investigators during their intake assessments. From actual case studies including the authors, to chapters on the accused, accuser, alleged child victim and agencies.
Find out more about False Parental Child Abuse
Find help and support
- Falsely Accused of Physical Abuse or Molestation?
- Falsely Accused of Physical Abuse or Molestation? Nationally Recognized Legal Authority on False Accusations of Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Junk Science, and Parental Alienation Syndrome. 734-327-5030
- False Allegations of Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and, Parental Alienation Syndrome
- This paper describes false allegations of family abuse, child abuse, and Parental Alienation Syndrome.
- False Accusations Of Child Abuse, False Child Abuse Allegations, Fighting False Allegations Against Men, False Accusations Of Child Sexual Abuse, Media
- abuse-excuse.com. Dean Tong, Forensic Consultant/PsychoLegal Strategist. Helping parents/attorneys win their false abuse allegations/child custody/parental alienation syndrome cases. Divorce litigation consultant, child abuse consultant, false abuse accusations consultant, trial consultant
- False Allegations of Sexual Abuse
- Providers of strategic case management for cases involving false allegations of sexual abuse.
- Smoke without fire
- Smoke without fire
Every year some 120,000 parents are wrongly accused of child abuse. The cases are dropped, but no one ever says sorry. And now, reports Diane Taylor, their only support group has folded - False Accusations of Child Abuse
- False Accusations Menstuff has compiled information on the issue of False Accusations, primarily of child abuse.
WE think of you
Wait! I haven't given birth yet!
What are your thoughts?
Some local authorities are making a decision to take a child away before the mother has even given birth. If the mother has a background of mental instability, the decision is made that she is already unfit to raise her child even though she may have sought treatment and be on the road to recovery.
These decisions have been made by pediatricians with no knowledge of the case going over the own mother's GP and psychiatrist.
So, what do you think?
Should authorities be allowed to make a decision to remove a child from their mother as soon as she's given birth?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byNo way! All mothers have rights especially if she's been deemed fit to raise her child by her own doctor.
meahdreamer says:
absolutely not. nobody knows the torment it puts mothers threw....
Posted October 04, 2009
Of course! If there is potential for child abuse, we must take steps to stop it before it even starts.
mukunda22 says:
Happens here in the States with a history of known drug addiction, or if one or both parents have a prior history of child abuse. If one of the parents doesn't leave the know abuser, the child is taken. I know there are many more such examples.
Posted September 28, 2009
aj2008 says:
Every case should be judged on its own merits, but as Spirituality says, there should be a thorough investigation.
Posted February 22, 2009
spirituality says:
I think with some people they should first prove they have taken control over their life before being allowed to raise kids. However, there should be a thorough investigation before this most drastic step is taken.
Posted November 21, 2008
What to do if you ARE falsely accused of child abuse
1. Find a good family solicitor or attorney. Do not speak to anyone other than your solicitor about your case. If you cannot afford one, someone will be appointed to you for free.
2. Acknowledge the seriousness of the accusation.
3. Do not confront the person who you believe filed the complaint against you, the victim or any members of his/her family.
4. Stay away from alcohol and drugs. Keep a clear head.
5. Educate yourself about the legal procedure in these types of cases.
6. Do not answer any questions asked of you until you are represented by a lawyer.
7. Do not let anyone in an official capacity into your home without a search warrant. This includes police.
8. Keep a record of everything that happens to you. Use a journal.
Good Reading
How to Deal with Being Falsely Accused of Child Abuse
Falsely accused of child molestation? Here's what you need to do.
Parents Falsely Accused?
Here's my favorite link:
On the flip side of false child abuse
Remembering those children who died or suffered abuse at the hands of their parents
Baby P - 17th months old, suffered more than 50 injuries which included 8 fractured ribs, a broken back and multiple bruises. His mother, her lover and her lodger are awaiting sentence.
Alisha Allen - 5 months old. Father shook her to death. Her mother was jailed for 12 months in September, 2008. Father got 5 years for manslaughter.
Tiffany Wright - Three years old. Starved to death above the pub run by her mother. Her mother was jailed for 12 years and her stepfather received 5 years.
Baby Jack - 6 months old. Died of pneumonia in November 2006. He'd suffered fractures to his arms, legs and ribs. His parents were jailed for three years for child cruelty.
Sean Denton - 18th months. Smothered by his mother after which she committed suicide.
Shannon Matthews - 9 years old. Mother and Uncle conspired to drug and keep imprisoned. Her mother was found guilty in December 2008 of kidnapping.
The case of Victoria Climbié
On the other side of the coin, there is a risk that if Social Workers don't do their jobs properly, a child's life is at risk. The problem is that Social Workers are at the front line of welfare of children and often have to make fast decisions in order to protect those children under review.
However, this also means that innocent parents are being caught in the legal net with no chance of escaping until a judge makes the life-changing decision to take the child away from them. It is then, of course, way too late.
One example of Social Workers not acting fast enough was in the case of Victoria Climbié. She was 8 years old when she died from abuse and neglect at the hands of her aunt, Marie Therese Kouao and her boyfriend, Carl Manning, despite numerous visits from Social Workers, nurses, Doctors and police officers. They were both been charged with murder and jailed in 2001.
So, it poses a problem.
Social workers often to have to make snap judgments about whether a child is at risk from child abuse with the added risk of getting things terribly wrong. If they don't, and the child dies from continuing abuse they themselves will face legal action.
So, it's important that these sometimes tough decisions are made but laws should be in place to give parents the chance to defend themselves.
There are many cases where children have been taken away from their families because they've suffered fractures etc. for it only to be found later, when the child is legally adopted by another family, that they suffer from a medical condition which can causes these major injuries.
Victoria Climbie - Where are the Others that Failed Her?
Understanding child abuse
Background reading
-
Reply
- bengriston bengriston Nov 29, 2009 @ 5:52 pm
- I hear of parents being falsely accused often. For me this is scary since my step-son is a really clumsy kid. Just this weekend he gave himself a bloody nose and cut on his head inside a inflatable jumper. I always fear being accused for his accidents.
-
Reply
- BevsPaper BevsPaper Oct 22, 2009 @ 6:45 am
- This is a tough situation, indeed. Although, I would hope that a falsely accused parent would be able to clear themselves and get their child back; my worry is for the innocent children who are being harmed. I feel that it is better to protect the child first and not take the chance that they will be harmed further while an investigation is taking place. Too many times here in the US babies are beaten to death by the very person who swore their own innocence or knowledge of abuse by some family member or significant other. Children have the right not to be abused. Parents need to protect that right by removing them from that abuse whether it is from their own hands or someone who has access to the child.
-
Reply
- spirituality spirituality Oct 11, 2009 @ 11:52 am
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
-
Reply
- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Oct 7, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
- You've written an impressive lens here on a very moving topic.
Well done & blessed by a SquidAngel.
-
Reply
- meahdreamer meahdreamer Oct 4, 2009 @ 9:48 pm
- I am a mother of a beautiful blue-eyed 4 yr. old son. A year ago he accidently ingested meds that I didn't know about until it was almost too late. He was hospitalized for 5days where I never left his side. The Cps made allegations that it was done on porpuse. Which they never even investigated. They just took him from me. I even had to leave state because the case worker threatened to take the baby that I now carry. My life has been a complete nightmare ever since this horrible event. I just want my son back. I constantly worry about him. My boyfriend and I have suffered alot of torment because of all of this. I desperately need my son safe in my arms to make it right and to know that he's alright.
- Load More
Bookmark This Lens
by inkserotica
Living and working in London, UK as a Freelance Writer and Reviewer. I live at home with my partner, Freelance Fine Arts photogr... (more)
Explore related pages
Fighting Child Protective Services False Allegations- Fight CPS is a family rights website that seeks to assist parents and others who...
The Most Important World Issues (according to you)- In this day and age we all have concerns about the world and how the decisions w...
Child Of My Heart (Part One)- Neither bone of my bone, Nor flesh of my flesh, But mine, just the same. You di...
What Caused the Fear?- Child abuse is hereditary as well as brought on by adults not being able to deal...
Women Against Sexual Predators W.A.S.P.- As we remember the many children who are still missing, let's tell the world abo...
Smiley Crayon Faces can hide the truth about Child Abuse.- Children are very good at keeping secrets, even smiley crayon drawings can hide...
