our mission...

We are a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to preserving the rights of those falsely accused of child abuse through education.

our history...

False allegations of child abuse began gaining national attention in the early 1980's. While the goal of protecting children from harm is an important and noble one, the current means used to achieve that goal is in crisis. The resulting effects on children and families can be devastating.

In child abuse cases, there is the continued working hypothesis among professionals charged with protecting children that if the allegation is made, abuse must have occurred and that the accused person must have perpetrated the abuse. Further, it becomes the responsibility of the accused to prove otherwise.  At the same time, reports in the media continue to explode with cases of overwhelmed child protective systems across the country losing track of the huge number of children they have removed from their homes for suspected abuse. By the time they are located, many have spent years in a far worse situation than the one from which they were removed; some are even dead.

National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center (NCADRC) strives for the day that the agencies responsible for investigating abuse and neglect claims are REQUIRED to remain unbiased and accountable for their actions. This accountability will allow them to better manage their resource so they can successfully protect children from real abuse while not traumatizing innocent children and families because of false allegations of child abuse.

Once false allegations of child abuse do make their way in court, the challenges for the target of the false accusations only increase. The emotional atmosphere that is generated by an allegation that a child has been deliberately harmed creates a hostile climate for defending against the allegation.

Public backlash from child abuse cases has resulted in special laws and rules designed by legislators with the intention of giving child-witnesses an equal footing in court. Toward that end, these laws allow prosecutors to introduce evidence that would not be allowed in other types of cases. Good intentions aside, the reality is that child-witnesses and prosecutors in child abuse cases have been given a tremendous advantage in the courtroom.

Presenting an aggressive defense against false allegations is crucial in determining the truth and, ultimately, prevailing at trial. Since there are so many issues involved in child abuse cases, and since the issues cover such a wide range of professional fields, it is extremely difficult for any attorney to keep abreast of the current research, data, case law, etc. that is crucial in providing that aggressive defense. Many professionals who testify that abuse has occurred base their testimony/opinion primarily on the opinions of other like-minded professionals. Many times they will say there are studies by other "experts" that support their opinions. Rarely is that true. Yet, if the defense does not know the research or that flaws in the data exist, then the state's professional can and will be convincing. Challenging these professionals is critical to any defense strategy.

The NCADRC was formed to explore the relevant research and data and how it can be applied to the benefit of the defense in cases of false accusations of child abuse.  We are dedicated to the continued exploration of such information.