par Haesevoets, Yves 
Référence Evolution psychiatrique, 64, 2, page (337-348)
Publication Publié, 1999-04
Référence Evolution psychiatrique, 64, 2, page (337-348)
Publication Publié, 1999-04
Article révisé par les pairs
| Résumé : | While recalling the very current problem regarding false allegations of sexual abuse, the author also examines the difficulties encountered by those persons who, in the course of their professional life, have to collect and attempt to comprehend the information provided by a child confronted with this damaging situation. Given the various approaches, the elucidation of a doubt, absolute conviction and established fact, the awkward question of false positives and false negatives, a critical consideration of the situation is of utmost importance. Improved insight into the way that the child recounts facts of a sexual nature, a more subtle approach to the problem of sexual abuse, a better analysis of the content of the victim's declaration and a pluridisciplinary assessment can provide better support in these complicated and painful situations. By reason of his status, the child or adolescent is in a relationship of dependence toward the adult. This fact leads us to consider issues such as suggestibility, lying, story telling and credibility in the allegedly abused child. The consequences of an uncertain allegation made in the context of a divorce have been reported. It is rare that children who have been exposed to lengthy legal proceedings following a false accusation of sexual abuse remain unaffected by this exposure. Even if, in certain cases of conjugal conflict, the grounds for the allegation do not seem to be well founded, any allegation of sexual abuse regarding a child should be treated with the utmost circumspection. Validation of these allegations of sexual abuse regarding a child therefore demands a thorough knowledge of and practical experience in this particular field on the part of those professionally involved. |
