Issue with dishonesty

[QuestionMark]

One of the findings is that I made ‘false/misleading statements’ immediately after my sons death - I didn’t feel up to telling them about the domestic abuse, considering my son had just died I thought they’d understand this. I did tell them about the DA after I left the relationship and felt safe, but this was too late.

2 years have passed yet they still have an issue with my ‘dishonesty’. How can I address their concerns and prove to them that I am an honest person? In those exceptional circumstances 2 years ago I failed to be honest about the DA due to a number of factors including coercive control. I have been entirely honest about everything else. How can I prove this to them?

[QuestionMark]

Could someone please help?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear QuestionMark,

Welcome back and thank you for posting.

Your question is about how to deal with some finding of facts against you-that you made false or misleading statements –which you do not deny. You were truthful later, explaining how they were made in the context of you being in a domestically abusive relationship where due to fear of reprisal you were not able to tell the truth.

But you say children services still believe you to be dishonest. You want to know how you can prove that you are truthful.

Are children services still involved with your children?
If the children file is closed then the fact findings will remain as they were found unless the court re- opens them and finds differently. You could speak to your legal team about this. Was context given to the false and misleading statements? Did they accept that you had lied and why?
If children services are still involved, remind them of the context when you lied. Are they taking the context into account? If they question your honesty ask them to point to when you have been dishonest.
You could point out all the truthful things you have said which have been proved overtime.
In your dealings with children services, keep a record of everything-either by a diary or asking to record things.
Please see FAQ about recording things .

I am sorry my advice is quite vague. Your legal team, who have access to all the documents will be the best people to ask this question.
Best wishes,
Suzie