The Professional Alliance for Child Centered Safety (PACCS) will host an online event featuring researcher Janette Hermann presenting her study on judicial decision-making in false sexual abuse allegations during custody cases. The session, titled "Judicial Decision-Making in False Sexual Abuse Allegations: Placing the Child at the Centre of Justice," examines critical challenges and offers recommendations for child-centered justice approaches in family court systems.
Hermann's research, based on interviews with South African magistrates, explores how courts can remain child-centered despite biases, trauma, and complex evidence. The study identifies several key themes including judicial bias, conflicting expert evidence, trauma-informed procedures, and strategies to restore the child's voice in legal processes. This research is particularly important as false allegations in custody battles can cause significant harm to children, families, and the integrity of the justice system.
"Forensic social work plays a vital role in this process: bridging the gap between psychological truth and legal evidence, ensuring that every voice, especially that of the child, is both heard and protected," said Janette Hermann, MSocSc, Criminal Justice Social Work. "The findings from this research serve as a reminder that justice is not only about outcomes but about the processes through which those outcomes are reached."
The virtual event represents a significant opportunity for legal professionals, social workers, and child advocates to understand how false allegations impact children and how courts can better handle these complex cases. By adopting trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches, the justice system can better protect children while ensuring fair proceedings for all parties involved.
Registration for the October 26, 2025 event is available through https://www.paccs.global, where participants can access the Zoom meeting registration. The organization is actively seeking practitioners, advocates, and professionals committed to reform and child-centered practices, offering access to exclusive trainings, research insights, and leadership opportunities through their membership program.
This research forum addresses a critical gap in family court proceedings where false allegations can derail custody decisions and cause lasting trauma to children caught in legal battles. The implications extend beyond individual cases to systemic reform, potentially influencing how courts worldwide handle similar allegations while prioritizing child safety and wellbeing above all other considerations.
