Stepfather accused of "touching inappropriatly" by 9 year old niece, case?
Answer:
This is a situation that needs to be investigated. Yes, children lie, but yes, adults lie. When an adult is accused of sexual abuse, murder, and any other crime, the neighbors and family are all saying what a good person he was and they can't believe it.
Do not do any extensive questioning of the child. This can cause the child to decide to cover up by saying it didn't happen or take cues from the questioner to add to the story (not in an attempt to lie, but in an attempt to appease the questioner). It's really not likely the girl would make it all up, but if it is truly out of character for the adult to have sexually assaulted her, you might want to have a counsoler talk to the girl and the man (separately).
Some children have been hammered so extensively about good touches and bad touches, that a misunderstanding of an accidental brush is a bad touch and the child and adult may both be telling the truth.
The opposite is also true. The stepfather may have been molesting many of the children he has taken care of during the 30 years and they never came forward because of feelings of shame, guilt, or fear.
Many psychologists beleive much of the trauma a child suffers because of a sexual assault by a family member is magnified by the reaction after the activity is discovered. The child should be treated with respect, compassion, and understanding. The family needs to provide support for each other without falling apart and taking sides. The child will blame themselves and not the attacker for all the "bad" things that happen in the family after reporting the activity.
If the counselor believes the girl was assaulted, then the police need to be brought in. And of course, more importantly, if it's really obvious the assault occured, the police should be called immediately.
yes a 9 year old can be believed... unless the child has a history of accusing innocent people.
If there is physical or mental proof yes but otherwise alot of times its his word against hers and if she was really abused she will live with half the family not believing her. You all need to sit down and wonder why would she make it up she istn even old enough to have had sex ed and know alot of stuff about sex and touching so listen to what she has to say it could be true
Yes
Yes, of course, she can (and probably will) be believed. Her claims should actually be taken very very seriously. She needs as much support from her family as she can get.
I believe she has to be taken seriously, even if it can't be proven.
There is always the possibility that the Child has seen this on Television and is making it up , but I dont think so why should she do this. You cant take this chance you must get this Investigated
by the Authorities, just because he has minded Children successfully for 30 Years does not mean that he is safe now .His
Personality might have changed over time. He might have done this before and nobody in the Family reported it. Seek help right away.
Absoutly a nine year old could be believed in court. The police, and courts would not proceed if the child was not credible. Children can and need to be protected and believed when telling the truth and she needs an opportunity to say what happened.
Yes and they should be. Sometimes people believe the man is innocent because its easier to cope with than believing him guilty. But these are very very serious allegations and the child needs to see a psychologist. If I were her familty, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Her protection is waaaay more important than his. Oh the fact that he's worked with kids for 30 years is immaterial. Most abusers work or interact with kids a lot...they chose the profession for that very reason.
You bet.
It does not matter how many years that he has been taking care of children.
The family division is normal, but what I don't understand is WHY doubt a 9 year old? IF she is lying, something is WRONG in her life. Children are not malicious. IF she is lying, he can forgive her, but there is a strong chance that she is not.
This CHILD comes first.
lots of people that have tooken care of kids for years have still touched kids.i would believe the child before i believe him
get to the police now. The child needs protecting as do all the other kids in his charge
Yes a 9 year old CAN be beleived in court.
Yes. It doesn't matter the child's age! Everyone should stand behind this child no matter what they think. A person I know, didn't believe their child (12) when they came forward months after it happened. Wouldn't you know he admitted to it! Then the 2nd child (10) came out about the same person. Family should stand and protect their own!!
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