Sex crimes against children are tragic and it’s a vital national concern in the U.S. to reduce instances of abuse. Children are vulnerable, and parents have both a level of control and responsibility for their children. Their obligation both legally and morally is to protect their children.
Instances of child abuse and child sexual abuse are made that much worse when committed by the people that society and the law expect to protect them, such as a friend or family member.
Society recognizes that children must be educated to reveal signs and acts of abuse and sexual abuse. Otherwise, these horrible invasions will likely go undetected and unpunished.
The statistical evidence about child sexual abuse and neglect is alarming — it’s a widespread problem in the U.S. Consider the below-described survey results.
- One in five young females and one in twenty young males has been a victim of child sexual abuse
- Self-report studies show that 20 percent of adult females and 5-10 percent of adult males recall a childhood sexual assault or sexual abuse incident
Child Testimony Is Key
Criminal charges of child sexual abuse require evidence, and an essential part of the evidence is the testimony of the child victim. Therein lies the problem: children can be strongly influenced by their parents.
When child sexual abuse charges arise in the context of divorce, separation, and child custody dispute, children can be weaponized by one parent against the other. The evidence shows that parents can guide, influence, and persuade their children to falsely admit or deny the truth.
Can Parents Affect Child Testimony?
Parents have an outsized influence on the minds of their children. Children learn to understand the world through the words, actions, and teachings of their parents. Some parents have used this influence over their children to tilt the outcome of divorce, support, and child custody cases.
Evidence-based studies, such as those conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Resources, consider the influence of custodial parents on child truth telling, false allegations, and false denials. Legal proceedings that depend upon child testimony require special attention, knowledge, and legal expertise.
If you or someone close to you requires assistance in child custody, criminal charges, or other matters concerning child sexual molestation, you may benefit from consultation by experienced defense attorneys.
