Letter: When not to believe children ccuracy on abuse is vital

Marjorie Orr
Saturday 20 July 1996 23:02 BST
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Reducing the complexities of the child abuse allegations and convictions of Wenatchee to the testimony of one child is misleading ("Child recants 'abuse lies' that jailed parents", 14 July). Parents in four families had been charged after their children disclosed - with both adult confessions and adult witnesses to confirm the stories - before the stepdaughter of the investigating police detective had spoken up. She was in care, having been molested by a family friend; her story of abuse by her parents was corroborated; and her abuse by a step-sister's husband had been witnessed by another adult. Recantation is common in abuse cases and is proof of little.

Marjorie Orr

Accuracy about Abuse

London NW3

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