<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>and lying to break up a family should be a crime as it causes more harm to a child than anythig<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You are right, of course. And in Florida at least, there is at least some balance. When someone calls the child abuse hotline, a record is made of who called. This isn't shown to the suspected abuser of course! If the abuse allegations turn out to be false, then the next time the person calls, they are informed that falsely reporting this crime is a crime in itself. Third times the charm. Do it again, and they are supposed to be prosecuted.
I don't know how well it works. I just know that my ex falsely called and the Dept of Children and Families worker that came out explained it to me. We asked who had called and explained that we thought it was my ex (who had been behaving badly since he found out I was getting married again) and although the worker was unable to confirm that, the look on his face did!
Whether or not he ever called again, I do not know. I do know we haven't been contacted again.
While it may be frustrating that someone has done this to you, keep in mind that the law is also made to protect people who do report real abuse, even if it can't be substantiated! Sometimes the laws are decent and the people who you have to deal with aren't! However, I do not know what the laws are in your area or if the law about reporting abuse falsely was a Florida state law or a federal law. Perhaps someone else can answer that.
Take Care,
Tig
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I am not a lawyer. Any information relayed is merely my own experience or research.
