This item was first published on the F.A.C.T. website on 20 September 2004
A true story of how one family coped with false allegations.
My attention has been drawn to a new book on False Allegations. It is called Insight into Anguish - Trial and Error and describes a family's nightmare over sexual assault allegations. The book is written by Melanie Metclafe whose husband, a Church youth worker at was falsely accused of rape.
How would you react if your husband was accused of sexual assault? This book is an account of the experiences of an ordinary family who find themselves caught up in a living nightmare when the father of young children is arrested and forced to stand trial over serious sexual allegations. It is a cautionary tale of rough justice which warns how the accused in such cases is faces an automatic presumption of guilt.
All who work at any level in the voluntary sector among children and youth, should read it to be be alerted to the dangers of innocent, but naive or unwise conduct being manipulated in a Court of law: this story should certainly put all youth workers on their guard. Society should read it to appreciate the unfairness of a legal aid system that could leave an innocent family homeless and bankrupt.
Yet this is a story of a family who have a firm belief that God is in control: a God who has plans behind all the events of this world. The book is a startling testimony of faith through adversity. In a sometimes harrowing account, Melanie Metcalfe has much to say about how the family's faith was tested and strengthened through these events.
The book is published by Day One Books. ISBN 1 903087 40 6 It costs £8.99. You can obtain it from the publishers Day One, Ryelands Road, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8NZ Phone 01568 613 740 or by Email This is an excellent book extremely well written and will be appreciated by those whose faith has been challenged or strengthened by false abuse allegations.
This book is also available to F.A.C.T. members at a discounted price.