Abstract

Article

It would be as plainly untenable to say that no wives have made false allegations against their husbands of sexual abuse of their children as it woould be to say that all wives do so or that no husbands are guiltyof the offence.

Wives have a motive to make false allegations, including a desire to have exclusive custody because of the trouble or emotional stress of custody sharing, vindictiveness (which is far from unthinkable in the passions of matrimonial breajup, and even overready belief of the child who for various motives makes false allegations.

Th only solution is greater discrimination by the Court and greater scrutiny of the reports of court appointees who investigate such allegations.  Among these there is a substantial risk of bias.  Nevertheless, it is a very difficult issue, and the coourt can only do its best, which will sometimes fall short of perfect, as all such institutions do, particularly wit such a havy workload.  The Commission shoold be cautious not to be overly critical but rather seek ways of avoiding the causes of imperfections,such as greater resources and closer scrutiny of appointments rather than political preferences.

The Commission has little chance of successful acceptance because of some weaknesses in its own ranks.