This is something that happens all the time, especially in Family Court when one parent accuses the other parent of negative behavior, like sexual abuse. In Family Court, as parents are trying to figure out divorce issues, like custody and visitation, one family member brings up the other is sexually abusing the kids, expecting it to affect the custody and the visitation decisions. Often, unless the accusing parent can prove what they say happen, the court will ignore the allegations. If the accusations continue, the parent being accused may claim parental alienation.
I have seen custody taken away from a mother who could not prove her child had been and was being sexually abused by her father. The child's mother had a history of very clear indications that her child had been sexually abused but had not been able to prove it legally. Because of that, the judge claimed the mother was guilty of parental alienation and took away her custody of the child. For a year, she was allowed to see her child once a week, with supervision, for an hour.
Can you imagine the trauma? Can you imagine how the child and the mother felt? A child does not understand why she has to live with her father when she has not lived with him before? The child does not understand why she can only visit her mother one hour every week, when she is living with her since she was born. What if the mother is correct and the child is really being sexually abused. And who really suffering the most?
This is a cautionary tale.
Carolyn has been providing therapy for clients for 30+ years and although she has worked with all kinds of clients in all kinds of environments, her passion continues to be providing services for clients who have dealt with sexual abuse issues and trauma. She currently provides all types of therapeutic support for victims of sexual abuse assault rape and incest. Serving Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Miami area
Carolyn Wilson, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Personal Solutions 954-793-3201
Helping you To Find Your Personal Solutions
