I've been reading this board for and so I thought I would post although I expect most won't be believe me. A number of years ago I was a pupil at a special school and the police came to interview us because of something that had happened which linked to the school somehow. That bit wasn't made clear to me. I was asked if I had any concerns about the staff and was given a list of names and asked to pick one I didn't like so I chose one and didn't think much of it until the police bagn to suggest to me that he had harmed me in some way. They kept on about it until I told them something had happened, and it sort of built up from there. I was only nine then and so it was fairly intimidating and I told them what I knew they wanted to hear.

It went to court and I had to be interviewed on camera but I wasn't asked very much, just if I had made it up and I said that I hadn't because I felt that I was in too deep by then and would get in serious trouble if I said I'd lied. I expected it to end there because there wasnt any proof anything had happened to me, but the man was convicted and I've had to live with that since. He did nothing to me. I told my parents recently that it was all made up and they seem to think I'm just confused. I have also been asked if someone has threatened me to make me say this. They have not.

I can't prove anything either way. I get the impression that what I say doesnt matter now. The man has been out of prison for some time but I think he'll still be on the register. He doesnt deserve to be. If I knew where he lives I'd write him and say sorry but I don't know if that would complicate things for him as he's not supposed to have any contact with his victim.

I hope you can print this even though it probably will never make a difference. I think there should be a support group for people who were made to lie about being abused when they were kids. I'm met with nothing but disbelief and suspicion.

Thank you anyway.

Do something about it.
If you would like a sympathetic ear then phone this helpline,and tell them the truth.

0870 241 66 50

Your full confession will help clear an innocent man,and there is even a chance they could fine the people who pushed you into this.
I'm up in court myself concerning false allegations.I face a life sentence if the jury believe them.
We have to all try to do something about the hysteria surrounding this subject.
Good luck.

I believe you.

Sad to say this is what does happen when the Police have targeted someone they want.

It is very easy to persuade people of events that have not happened. Planted "memories" by constant repeating can be done in vulnerable people.

You are a victim as well. So please dont beat yourself up over it. There are groups who represent people who are victims of false allegations and they may be able to help you restore your confidence.

Good luck and you are very brave to have told your story.

This is a difficult one to comment on because I can only imagine what people in such situations are going through. I imagine there would be a lot of resistance within the police and legal system to any claim that they got it wrong, even if it's the alleged victim who makes the claim. It must be very difficult for a child to resist pressure from interviewers, especially someone like the police who they are taught to respect as the good guys. It's also probable that a lot of children don't grasp the seriousness of the situation until they are older, which seems to be the case here.

I also suspect that the authorities will say that it's not in the public interest to question yet another dodgy conviction because it will undermine public confidence.

I feel so sorry for all the people caught up in these witch hunts, and it angers me that nothing of any significance is ever done to put things right.

My advice:
If you don't do something, this will eat away at you for the rest of your life and get worse as you get older.

You are showing that you have a conciense....you cannot escape from it.

However you must remember a very important factor : you are victim of an abuse of process. You are a victim of cruel mental abuse .

Find a support group. The person jailed may have recovered but any support they get from you will be appreciated.

Remember: In the UK there has been a dreadful history of innocent people, social workers, youth home workers, teachers etc being wrongly accused and jailed because of evil authorities using vunerable children like yourself to prosecute them in hysterical witch-hunts aided by the media. Hundreds have eventually been found innocent and had their convictions overturned.

Do some research yourself...start with Haute de le Geurre..the last ludicrous "scandal" that swept the world in a blaze of headlines and soon to be swept under the carpet as offending cops are quitely retired off on full pensions.

you are being brave by talking about it..good luck !

Thank you to those who responded. I hadn't expected to get much positive reaction. Since I posted my uncle has said that he also believes me and together we will try to take it forward. It is difficult but I think you are right that it will eat away at me. It is good to know that there are some people who understand.

I most probably will phone FASO. Thank you.