Mark B. Baer, Esq. Discusses False Allegations of Domestic Violence in his Blog

Do children somehow provoke domestic violence in a relationship?

It is estimated that as high as 80% of allegations of domestic violence and child abuse are completely false. What would cause someone to make a false allegation of domestic violence?  It is widely recognized that false claims of domestic violence are often made in divorce and paternity actions in order to gain a legal advantage.  It can be of no surprise that child custody tends to be awarded to the accusing parent.  Why would someone make such false allegations against the person they once loved, considering that the claim stigmatizes and humiliates the person and may require the expenditure of substantial sums to defend against?  When a relationship ends, the emotions involved are anger, hurt, frustration, rage and bitterness.  In fact, when a couple with children together are breaking up, they almost cannot help themselves from somehow using the children as weapons or pawns.  Who would do such a thing?  As many as 4 out of 5 people making such allegations are treating their children as pawns in an effort to seek revenge for something.  If 80% of all domestic violence allegations are false and such allegations are made in 25% of divorce cases, then in 1 out of every 5 divorce or paternity cases, a parent is using their child as nothing more than a weapon to achieve a desired result.  This is fascinating, considering that parents almost always say that their children mean more to them than anything else.

Considering that as high as 80% of the allegations of domestic violence are false, it is interesting that a person accused of domestic violence is guilty until he/she is proven innocent.  How do we punish those who make such false allegations?  We give them complete custodial control, the destruction of the life of their former mate, and the destruction of any semblance of a normal relationship between the other parent and his/her children.  What about the fact that the U.S. spends $4 billion a year on domestic violence programs and that such claims have been found to contribute to $20 billion in public costs and taxpayer burden associated with fragmented families?  Persons who knowingly make such accusations are almost never subject to legal sanctions.

Children who succeed after divorce, have parents who can communicate effectively and work together as parents.  Numerous studies have shown that a high conflict divorce involving children not only leaves its mark on the children, but also the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.  At least the person making such false allegations should know that the collateral damage to the children as a result of their behavior is virtually irreparable.

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Mark B. Baer, Esq.
Mark B. Baer, Inc., a Professional Law Corporation
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