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A Mother's Nightmare - Incest
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A Mother's Nightmare - Incest
A Practical Legal Guide for Parents and Professionals


Other Titles in:
Child Sexual Abuse

May 1997 | 264 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
When parents - usually mothers - try to protect their children from sexual abuse, they can be devastated to find that support from the legal system is not always there. Suspecting their husbands or partners of the abuse, mothers may seek a divorce and custody or, if already divorced, request withdrawal of visitation rights. However, if unable to prove abuse, a mother can be labelled `hysterical' and her desperate efforts to secure her child's safety may jeopardize her case - and even result in the suspected perpetrator being granted custody of the child.

A ddressesing this troubling issue, this book provides parents and professionals with the necessary information to protect themselves against a legal system backfire. John E B Myers advises parents not to act too quickly, stresses the importance of documenting evidence and supplies a step-by-step strategy for attaining victory in the current United States court system. Topics discussed include: psychosocial evaluations; legal options; consequences of false allegations; and maintaining emotional balance.

 
One Mother's Nightmare
 
PART ONE: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
 
Defining Child Sexual Abuse and Other Forms of Child Maltreatment
 
What Does the Future Hold for a Child Who Has Been Sexually Abused?
 
Who Are the Men Who Sexually Abuse Children? Why Do They Do It? Can Molesters Be Cured?
 
PART TWO: A MOTHER'S ALLIES: THE LEGAL SYSTEM, A GOOD LAWYER, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
 
Introduction to the US Legal System
Criminal Court, Family Court, Juvenile Court

 
 
Finding a Lawyer
 
Help from Mental Health Professionals
The Critically Important Psychosocial Assessment

 
 
PART THREE: DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, FAMILY COURT, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND JUVENILE COURT
 
The Criminal Justice System
 
Family Court
Divorce, Child Custody and Child Visitation

 
 
Child Protective Services Agency and Juvenile Court
 
PART FOUR: PROVING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN COURT: OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND PROTECTING YOUR CHILD
 
Obstacles to Proving Child Sexual Abuse in Court
 
Sorting Out Your Suspicions, Controlling Your Emotions
 
The Legal Importance of What Your Child Tells You and Others about the Abuse
 
Changes in Your Child's Behavior as Evidence of Sexual Abuse
 
PART FIVE: SUMMING IT ALL UP: PLAN FOR VICTORY, PREPARE FOR DEFEAT
 
Plan for Victory
 
Prepare for Defeat

John E. B. Myers

John E.B. Myers, J.D. is a Distinguished Professor and Scholar at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. He is the author or editor of eight books and more than 100 articles and chapters on child maltreatment and his writing has been cited by more than 140 courts, including the United States Supreme Court. John is a frequent speaker at conferences, having made more than 400 presentations around the world. More About Author

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ISBN: 9780761910572
$179.00