I have been prompted to start this thread by my success on another forum in getting non-custodial parents to relate stories concerning their own children lying about them.
Another reason I wish to explore this is the attitude of a notorious UK based social worker who was involved in the Orkney's ritual abuse allegations (where six families and their children were embroiled in false accusations, twenty years ago).
She was totally unable to accept that the children who made mention of abuse were acting to please her, because she kept insisting they had been abused, rather than any real abuse going on (even though the children, now adults were telling us all in a recent TV programme that it wasn't true). This woman believed that all the parents involved, plus the local vicar (who also became embroiled in allegations) were lying, plus three quarter of the children who maintained there was no abuse inspite of incredible pressure to "admit" to abuse having taken place were lying, plus all the neighbours on this small island were lying or had somehow failed to witness the abuse under their noses.
Even twenty years on, with all the intelligent children, now thirty year old adults with families of their own, she refused to believe "that those children who first reported abuse to the social workers could possibly have been lying!"
As far as I'm aware the social workers involved in the case were allowed to continue in their jobs, and are still being paid to this day (though hopefully they have had their careers sidetracked to where they can do less damage).
I know real child abusers often refuse to admit their crimes until they go to their graves. This must provide some justification for the authorities refusing to believe protestations of innocence from abuse allegations. However, fortunately for all of us who wish to see such perpetrators brought to justice, there is usually I believe, a plethora of other evidence to substantiate the allegations against them (other than just the one child's evidence).
The authorities in my country refuse to accept that PAS (Parental Alienation Syndrome) exists, and yet they wish us to believe they understand the pressures placed upon children in high conflict divorce cases very well.
Lying in PAS cases must be always seen to some extent mustn't it (some feel it extends to the courts or legal profession even, lying as to whether they know PAS exists).
I would welcome your comments or stories on this topic.
All the best, Graham