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In divorce cases today, some experts have estimated that between 75 and 80 percent of allegations
of child abuse are completely false or unfounded. Although, the Mondale Act's emphasis on
bringing even suspicions of abuse into the open (and has undeniably saved thousands of children from harm)
by using government funds to set up child abuse prevention programs such as Child Protective
Services or CPS and the Department of Children and Family Services or DCFS, some experts have reported that there have been
some rather disturbing and compelling side-effects.
Dr. Richard A. Gardner, a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Columbia University who
has over thirty years of experience evaluating allegations of child abuse, notes that many
Child Protective Service (CPS) workers refer to themselves as "validators"--a term that at
best raises questions about their objectivity. "They of course hold that 'children never
lie about sexual abuse,' and they accept as valid every statement a child makes that might
verify sex abuse."
According to Dr. Gardner, "there's a complex network of social workers, mental health
professionals, and law enforcement officials that actually encourages charges of child
abuse--whether they're reasonable or not." In effect, the Mondale Act according to some professionals, despite its good
intentions, created--and continues to fund--a virtual child abuse industry, populated by
people whose livelihoods depend on bringing more and more allegations into the system.
To learn more, read the article A System
Out of Control: The Epidemic of False Allegations of Child Abuse. While it seems unlikely most social workers
and mental health professionals fit this extreme profile (as most have good intentions), it's scary to think that even one would have these intentions.
The following resources below provide information in regards to government funded
programs such as Child Protective Services (CPS) and the Department of Children and Family Services
(DCFS) and are provided to help parents and others who are subject to being violated
or at risk to understand and learn more about how these programs work and what they can do
to better protect themselves from becoming a victim of false reporting of abuse.
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Child Protective Services (CPS) Resources
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Armin A. Brott, (Berkely, California),
( .html )
A System Out of
Control: The Epidemic of False Allegations of Child Abuse
Child Protective Services (CPS) and their treatment of allegations of abuse in divorce.
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Fighting Child Protective Services (CPS) False Accusations,
( .html )
What to Do if CPS Agents Are Investigating You:
See "What Others Recommend"
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National Coalition for Child Protection Reform,
( .html )
National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
"Absolute Power corrupts...Absolutely"
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Filing a Complaint About Child Welfare Services (California),
( .html )
Complaints About CSW:
Filing a complaint about social worker conduct, county CSW agencies, judges misconduct or wrongdoing, law enforcement officers, suspected child abuse or neglect.
Child Protective Services (CPS) Information and Studies
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National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information
( .html )
State-Specific Child Abuse and Neglect Information:
Find information on laws governing child abuse and neglect, and conferences and training for your State or others.
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (Washington, D.C.),
( .html )
Child Protective Services (CPS) system in the United States:
A 2-Year Study
Describes the current status of the Child Protective Services (CPS) system and reform efforts underway around the nation to improve its operation.
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