Sister Frances calls for action on false abuse allegations that “destroy lives”

July 18, 2016

SISTER Frances Dominica has called for action to tackle accusations of abuse that are “destroying lives” despite a lack of proof.

She said those who were never taken to court over claims made against them had “no final forum to clear their names”.

Her comments came after a study by Oxford University researchers found even those who refuted abuse accusations at an early stage had their lives “wrecked”.

The 73-year-old founder of Helen and Douglas House was forced to step away from the hospices charity in December after she was accused of sexually abusing two women between 1980 and 2000.

Police halted a year-long investigation into the claims – which she wholly denied and were not related to Helen and Douglas House – in July 2014. The Crown Prosecution Service decided to take no action.

The university study warned policies adopted by police forces to assume all victims of child sexual abuse are telling the truth could prove “damaging” to society.

It says despite “honourable intentions” to listen to victims who have historically been ignored, the approach is creating “a whole new, growing class of victims”.

The study adds: “The road to hell, it is said, is paved with good intentions.

“Unfortunately, that is where the victims of false allegations of abuse are likely to find themselves – in a living hell.”

Sister Frances said: “I very much welcome this research. It voices what I’ve personally experienced.

“It is very timely given the number of people, like myself, who are caught in this awful situation of being accused of something terrible but who are never, finally, able to clear their names.”

Sister Frances said she had been “fortunate in having lots of support” from friends and sisters at the All Saints Sisters of the Poor in Cowley.

But she warned: “This often isn’t the case for people who are accused of abuse. There are a number of cases where people have just lost everything and have taken their own lives.

“This problem urgently needs to be addressed because it is destroying lives, as well as deterring people from entering or continuing with caring professions, including teaching.

“It is massively important that people who have suffered abuse are encouraged and supported to report what has happened to them and for those who have abused them to face justice.

“But it seems to me the pendulum has now swung so much the other way, because accusations are made which often aren’t tested in court and there’s no final forum for people to clear their names.

“This is a major natural justice issue.”

In an exclusive interview with the Oxford Mail in January, Sister Frances called for those accused of sexual abuse to be given anonymity – like alleged victims – until they are formally charged with offences. The issue is also due to be looked at by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.