Women's Hour – Are we too ready to believe children when they make accusations of abuse?
The number of allegations of abuse against teachers has increased four fold in the last 12 years, with most allegations never being proven. But while the investigation goes on, teachers find themselves suspended and often ostracised. So has the pendulum swung too far in favour of the child? And how do you balance the need to protect children with ensuring people’s lives aren’t ruined by false accusations? Reporter Jill Hopkins talks to Jonathan Dunning-Davies who was charged with indecent assault on a 15 year old girl and later acquitted, and Sheila discusses the issues with Penny Dean from The Children’s Society and to Rory O’Brien, chairman of FACT (False Allegations Against Carers and Teachers)
