The Professional Alliance for Child Centered Safety (PACCS) will host a virtual research forum featuring Janette Hermann, MSocSc, presenting her study on judicial decision-making in false sexual abuse allegations during family court 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 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 key themes including judicial bias, conflicting expert evidence, trauma-informed procedures, and strategies to restore the child's voice in legal processes. This research provides crucial insights for legal professionals, social workers, and child advocates working within family court systems.
"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 Hermann. "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, scheduled for October 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM EDT, will include both presentation and discussion components. Participants can register through the Zoom Meeting Registration platform. This forum represents a significant opportunity for professionals to engage with cutting-edge research that could transform how family courts handle sensitive allegations involving children.
Hermann emphasizes that by adopting trauma-informed, evidence-based, and collaborative approaches, legal systems can better protect children, support families, and uphold the integrity of the justice process. Her work at the Trauma-Informed and Child-Centred Private Practice, as well as her affiliations with the Teddy Bear Foundation and National Centre for Child Protection in South Africa, inform her comprehensive understanding of child protection issues.
PACCS, a practitioner-led network dedicated to reforming family court practices, continues to provide platforms for such critical discussions. The organization connects clinicians, attorneys, researchers, and advocates to collaborate on evidence-based, child-first reforms. Additional information about the organization's mission and activities can be found at https://www.paccs.global.
The implications of this research extend beyond individual cases to potentially influence systemic reforms in family court procedures worldwide. As false allegations in custody battles can have devastating consequences for children and families alike, Hermann's work offers practical strategies for ensuring that judicial processes prioritize child safety and wellbeing while maintaining procedural fairness for all parties involved.
