Experience with SS when maintaining innocence

[Hawkish]

Hi.
I'm in a relationship with somebody convicted of sexual abuse based on a historical allegation. He has maintained innocence throughout the whole ordeal. This person is on the SOR and police has notified me that if we were to have children social services would be getting involved. I have read through multiple threads on here about working with social services which often seems to be tied in with 'rehabilitation' and 'getting help for the problem', etc -- obviously as the person is maintaining innocence being 'rehabilitated' and 'recognising the offence' does not apply. I have not come across any posts on how maintaining innocence plays out in the scenario where SS/children are involved, as recognising he can be a threat to children would effectively be an admission of guilt. The criminal justice system has no provision for the possibility that an innocent person may get falsely convicted, to them anyone claiming innocence is 'in denial.' I was wondering if anybody was ever in the same situation and what was the experience.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Hawkish

Welcome to the parents’ discussion forum.

My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group and I will respond to your post.
In your post you have explained that you are in a relationship with someone who has been convicted for sexual abuse. He has maintained his innocence throughout but was convicted. You mention that there is no provision in the criminal justice system where a person can be falsely convicted. It is possible for a person to challenge their conviction by an appeal.

Regarding children’s services possible involvement as you have been advised by the police should you have children with the person, they would be concerned about the risk he poses to a child. As he has maintained his innocence, it is unlikely they would consider doing a risk assessment of the level of risk as it is likely to be considered high because of his position on his conviction.

You may find it helpful to contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation for more information about sexual abuse as the partner of someone convicted and his maintaining his innocence despite the conviction. Their telephone number is 0808 100 0900.

It may be that another poster will be able to share the benefit of their experience with you but I thought I would respond to your post.

I hope this helps but if you wish to speak to an adviser on our confidential advice line, you can telephone on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).

Best wishes

Suzie