Journalist: Julie McCaffrey
Date: December 15, 2007
Summary: This article describes the experiences of a family who were wrongly accused by a social services department of sexually abusing one of their children. Their three children were removed from the home for approximately two years. The allegations of abuse were rejected and the children were returned to their parents. Since returning home the children have shown symptoms of anxiety around their parents leaving them again. A report has criticized the City Council, the Healthcare Trust, and the police.
Relevance: Social workers often investigate or asset in the investigation of allegations of child abuse, neglect and maltreatment. Recognizing the indicators of abuse is an important aspect of this work.
Questions:
1. How many recommendations were contained in the report indicating that the parents were falsely accused?
2. What are your thoughts about keeping the contents of the full report confidential?
3. What are your thoughts regarding this case? Should such mistakes be remedied? How?
4. Should treatment be provided to the family to assist them with reunification? Why or why not?
5. What do child reporting laws suggest regarding social workers and others who make reports that are later unfounded?
6. Should there be consequences for the agencies involved in this case? Why or why not? What could be possible consequences?
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