June 2 Summit to Probe Problem of False Allegations of Abuse

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following the recent publication of a stunning Washington Post account of a Fairfax teacher falsely accused of sexual assault, the upcoming June 2 False Allegations Summit will highlight the problem of wrongful accusations. The summit will be sponsored by Stop Abusive and Violent Environments.

At least 6 sympathetic editorials about false allegations of abuse were published following the Washington Post story.

The False Allegations Summit will be held June 2 at the Fairfax Hotel on Embassy Row, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The event will feature the findings of the first-ever national survey of false abuse allegations, statements by stakeholder organizations, and victim testimonies.

Presenting organizations will include the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Home School Legal Defense Association, American Coalition for Fathers and Children, National Coalition for Men, and Encounters International.

Four victim statements will highlight the personal, social, and financial toll that a wrongful accusation can inflict. One of the victims testifying at the Summit will be Cheryl Shanks of New Jersey, who was falsely accused of abuse by her former immigrant husband so he could obtain a Green Card.

"Standards of proof have become so diminished that anyone can file a claim and destroy the good reputation of an innocent person," recounts SAVE spokesman Philip Cook. "And the real victims of abuse, the persons who are desperate for help, find themselves squeezed out in the process."

The Summit is the kick-off to False Allegations Awareness Month in June. More information on the observance can be seen here: http://www.saveservices.org/false-allegations-awareness-month/.

The Washington Post investigation documented repeated instances of misconduct by the lead detective in the Fairfax County case. The story, "Falsely Accused Teacher Fights to Reclaim Life," published on May 15, 2011, can be viewed here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/fairfax-teacher-sean-lanigan-still-suffering-from-false-molestation-allegations/2011/03/04/AFVwhh3G_story.html.

About 2 million false or trivial allegations of domestic violence are made each year, according to a SAVE report: http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/False-DV-Allegations-Cost-20-Billion.

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to partner abuse: www.saveservices.org.

SOURCE Stop Abusive and Violent Environments