How to Deal with Being Falsely Accused of Child Abuse

A child abuse allegation can be scary, unnerving experience, even if you know that you are not guilty. The best thing to do if you have been accused of child abuse is to remain calm and dispute the allegation. Child abuse accusations are investigated thoroughly.

• Remain calm if you are accused of child abuse. Even though you may be upset or scared, you should not show it. Simply deny the allegation clearly and calmly. Causing a scene, yelling or becoming emotional is only going to make you look suspicious to the child abuse investigator.

• Contact an attorney and let them know that you have recently been accused of child abuse. Discuss what you know about the allegation with an attorney and ask for legal advice. You may need to hire the attorney if the case is going to be heard in court. Many child abuse allegations are determined unfounded and never go to court. 

• Find out as much information as you can about the allegation. Ask the child protective services investigator if they can let you know pertinent information about the claim, such as the child in question, the type of abuse and the name of the person who filed the accusation against you. The more you know about the claim, the easier it will be to understand the allegation. 

• Cooperate with the investigation fully. Answer any questions that they may ask of you as well as the child in question. If you are the parent of the child, it is best to allow the investigator to speak with the child as well as examine them if necessary. Cooperating will show that you have nothing to hide.