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Can a person be wrongly suspected?
Remembering that sexual abuse takes place in secrecy and thrives on secrecy, whenever a parent is suspicious it is always safest to discuss those worries with another trusted person. Do not think that you must have proof that something is wrong before you act to intervene. If it looks wrong and feels wrong it probably is wrong, but safe people would understand and want to be open if the situation were looked at more closely to see what might be happening under the surface.
One of the most common reasons parents fail to act to protect their child is their fear of getting it wrong and causing a fuss. Abusive people rely on this natural human anxiety and they usually carry on until someone stops them. Parents should always trust their instincts in this situation.
If a child is unexpectedly found to be spending time alone with an older person, don't assume it is innocent and don't accept it must be innocent just because the older person says so. If the situation is not open and transparent then it carries some risk for the child. If a parent fails to be inquisitive and assertive in this situation their child is unlikely to feel confident to say if anything wrong has been happening.
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