When parents - usually mothers - try to protect their children from sexual abuse, they can be devastated to find that support from the legal system is not always there. Suspecting their husbands or partners of the abuse, mothers may seek a divorce and custody or, if already divorced, request withdrawal of visitation rights. However, if unable to prove abuse, a mother can be labelled `hysterical' and her desperate efforts to secure her child's safety may jeopardize her case - and even result in the suspected perpetrator being granted custody of the child.

A ddressesing this troubling issue, this book provides parents and professionals with the necessary information to protect themselves against a legal system backfire. John E B Myers advises parents not to act too quickly, stresses the importance of documenting evidence and supplies a step-by-step strategy for attaining victory in the current United States court system. Topics discussed include: psychosocial evaluations; legal options; consequences of false allegations; and maintaining emotional balance.