An explorative study of false allegations of Child Sexual abuse in divorce and custody proceedings

313 Pages·2015·3.1 MB·English

An explorative study of false allegations of child sexual abuse in divorce and custody
proceedings in South Africa

Tanya Marie Robinson
Philosophiae Doctor (Ph.D.) – North West University (2011)
Doctors in Philosophe (D.Phill.) – University of Stellenbosch (2n005)
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Postgraduate Certificate in Education – Unisa (2004)
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Master Socialis Deligenta (M.S.D.) (Cum Laude) –University of Pretoria (2003)

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B.A. (SW) (Cum Laude)–University of Sptellenbosch (2002)
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University of Cape Town
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Degree of Doctor in Philosophy in Social Work

Supervisor: Dr Johannes John-Langba

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The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No
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quotation from it or information derived from it is to be

published without full acknowledgeement of the source.
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The thesis is to be used for private study or non-
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commercial research purposes only.

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Published by the Universit y of Cape Town (UCT) in terms
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of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I thank all who contributed to making this research possible. In particular, I wish to
acknowledge the contributions made by the following:
• My supervisor, Dr Johannes John-Langba for his structured, methodical thought
process that assisted me to have a clear process in structuring the dissertation. Dr
Langba’s knowledge, input, academic thoughts encouraged me to follow-through
patiently and enabled a structured research document.
• I admire my husband, Mr Sarel Blaauw for his encouragement and support to carry me
through this process and enabled me to remain focussed on my career whilst busy with
our three toddlers and balancing being a mother, a career women and an academic.
• I also thank him for his financial support and giving me the opportunity to focus on
our children in their formative years and chasing my academic dreams.
• Special thanks to members of my family of origin. My father, mother and brother who
stand as an example for me and who have always encouraged me to academically
achieve my goals. A special thank you to my mother that has planted a seed in our lives
as children to always improve ourselves academically and that stands as an example of
a woman that can always give more as a mother, grandmother and co-academic.
• Lots of thanks to my mother for the hours spent babysitting and for my father who never
complains when my mother does not arrive at work.
• A special thank you to my father that has taught myself and my brother that you can
never work hard enough and that has taught us to persevere no matter how hard the
task.
• I further admire my brother that stands as an example that you can achieve any dream
that you set and that anything is possible.
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 My children inspire me to be a better person, mother and woman and to teach them the
ways of living a fulfilled life. Thank you for the blessing of life, Quinykki, Tauwri,
and Blainson Blaauw-Robinson.
• A special thanks to the participants who participated in this research.
• My colleagues that assisted me with the research and gave guidance within this study.
• Thank you to my language editor that changes the document into a master piece.
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DEDICATION

“EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE
THE WORLD.”
NELSON MANDELA (1918-2013)

If you ever expect to have an impact on the world, this quote from Nelson Mandela should be
among the quotes that explain the importance of education. This quote should inspire you to
want to learn about the world around you so you can change it. Subjects like history, science,
math, and English can all lead you to learn the knowledge you will need to have an impact on
the world.
I dedicate my academic life and eagerness to learn to my children to inspire them in future to
make their mark academically. I salute the academia through completing my third PhD.

This study does not seek to minimalize the suffering that can be caused by sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse of children is a horrendous act, and its victims frequently suffer in silence.
Increased understanding of the nature of allegations and substantiation thereof is sought
in order to improve the processes of the Family Court system, with the ultimate intention
of producing better outcomes of the men, women, and children it serves.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.1 Background and context .......................................................................................................... 12
1.2 Statement of the research problem ......................................................................................... 14
1.3 Rationale and significance of the study .................................................................................. 17
1.4 Aims and objectives of this study ............................................................................................ 19
1.5 Specific objectives ..................................................................................................................... 19
1.6 Research questions ................................................................................................................... 20
1.7 Assumptions .............................................................................................................................. 21
1.8 Clarification of concepts ........................................................................................................... 23
1.9 Significance of the study to social work practice ................................................................... 25
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 27
2.1 False child sexual abuse allegations in divorce and custody proceedings .......................... 27
2.2 False child sexual abuse allegations: A complex social problem ........................................ 30
2.3 Factors that contribute to false child sexual abuse allegations in divorce and custody
proceedings .......................................................................................................................................... 33
2.4 Explaining false child sexual abuse allegations in divorce and custody proceedings ....... 35
2.5 Power relations and false child sexual abuse allegations ..................................................... 38
2.6 Relevant international policies and legislations ................................................................... 39
2.7 Relevant South African policies and legislation ................................................................... 42
2.7.1 The Green Paper on Families ........................................................................................ 42
2.7.2 The White Paper on Families ......................................................................................... 43
2.7.3 South African Divorce Act 70 of 1979 ........................................................................... 43
2.7.4 South African Sexual Offences Act, 2007 ..................................................................... 44
2.7.5 Domestic Violence Act, 1998 .......................................................................................... 45
2.7.6 Children’s Act 38 of 2005 ............................................................................................... 46
CHAPTER 3: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ........................................................................... 48
3.1 General Systems Theory ......................................................................................................... 48
3.2 Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behaviour ......................................... 52
3.3 Crisis Theory ........................................................................................................................... 56
CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 60
4.1 Research design ......................................................................................................................... 60
4.2 Population .................................................................................................................................. 62
4.3 Sampling procedure ................................................................................................................. 64
4.5 Data analysis and verification .................................................................................................. 75
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4.6 Ethical considerations .............................................................................................................. 79
4.6.1 Human participants’ protection .................................................................................... 79
4.6.2 Risks and benefits of the study ....................................................................................... 80
4.6.3 The ethical aspect of competency .................................................................................. 81
4.6.4 No harm to the participants ........................................................................................... 82
4.6.5 Voluntary participation and informed consent ............................................................ 83
4.6.6 Confidentiality and anonymity ...................................................................................... 85
4.7 Limitations of the study .......................................................................................................... 86
4.8 Reflexivity ................................................................................................................................ 87
CHAPTER 5: PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS ........................................ 89
5.1 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 89
5.1.1 Socio-demographic profile of participants .................................................................... 89
5.1.2 Themes…………………………………………………………………………………118
5.1.2.1 Personal experiences of the falsely accused parent ...................................................... 95
5.1.2.2 Personal experiences of the parent making the false allegation ................................ 108
5.1.2.3 A mental health care perspective on false child sexual abuse allegations in SA ..... 118
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................ 147
6.1 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................ 147
6.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 154
6.2.1 Amendments to South African Policy and Legislation .............................................. 154
6.2.2 Changes needed to the South African system dealing with sexual abuse matters ..... 155
6.2.3 Capacity building of mental health professionals ......................................................... 157
6.2.4 The need for future research ........................................................................................... 159
Appendix A1 ...................................................................................................................................... 177
Appendix A2 ...................................................................................................................................... 180
Appendix A3 ...................................................................................................................................... 183
Appendix B ........................................................................................................................................ 186
Appendix C ........................................................................................................................................ 189
Appendix D ........................................................................................................................................ 198
Appendix E ........................................................................................................................................ 207
Appendix F1 ...................................................................................................................................... 216
Appendix F2 ...................................................................................................................................... 217
Appendix G1 ...................................................................................................................................... 218
Appendix G2 ...................................................................................................................................... 219
Appendix G3 ...................................................................................................................................... 220
Appendix H1 ...................................................................................................................................... 221
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Appendix H2 ...................................................................................................................................... 228
Appendix H3 ...................................................................................................................................... 232

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Profile of the key informants interviewed .......................................................................... 91
Table 2: Profile of the falsely accused parents ................................................................................. 92
Table 3: Profile of the accusing parent making the false allegation ............................................... 93

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Theory of Reasoned Action ............................................................................................... 53
Figure 2: The Theory of Planned Behaviour ................................................................................... 55
Figure 3: A mental health perspective on factors contributing to false child sexual abuse
allegations ......................................................................................................................................... 127
Figure 4: A professional view of emotional problems and personality disorders associated with
the accusing parent .......................................................................................................................... 129
Figure 5: A mental health perspective on the profile of the accusing parent .............................. 132
Figure 6: A mental health perspective on a possible profile of the falsely accused parent ........ 137

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