Ashes
to Ashes, Families to Dust: False Accusations of Child Abuse: A Roadmap
for Survivors
by Dean Tong
Midwest Book Review
In 1995 there were over 2 million unfounded
reports of child abuse and neglect in America. Has our child "protection"
system become itself a kind of family abuse industry? Are legitimate abuse
complaints neglected due to a plethora of false accusations? Where would
you turn for bona fide help if wrongly accused of child abuse. How would
you disprove abuse that never happened in the first place? Can your attorney
navigate your case through a web of social agency and courtroom procedures
and practices? Ashes To Ashes - Families To Dust will answer these
questions and more. False accusations of child abuse debase and demean
the innocent adult, and create harm for the very children anti-abuse laws
were designed to protect. All social service libraries, social work library
schools, and public library systems should have this title available for
both those who hope to dedicate themselves to the genuine problems of child
abuse, and the equally severe problems of those wrongfully accused of such
a despicable practice.
Powerful and compelling... a must-read!
- Richard Fuller
metarev@metarev.com, October 7, 1998
“Ashes to Ashes... Families to Dust
represents to America the destruction that is incurred by families due
to false allegations of child abuse” says author, speaker, consultant and
family rights activist, Dean Tong. This reviewer found an eye-opener of
a book that exposes the misuse of our child abuse laws.
In the first of four heart-rending case studies,
Mr. Tong relates his own personal experience of being (falsely) accused
by his wife during their divorce proceedings, of molesting his daughter.
Thus began his exploration of this glaring and unfair practice, a nightmare
that totally unhinges the accused’s life, and all relationships.
During the five years following the false
allegations, Mr. Tong spent over $80,000, hired six attorneys, saw five
psychologists, took a polygraph test, was subjected to countless psychological
tests and lost the custody of his children. This, even though he proved
a prima facie case of his innocence and his ex-wife was declared an unfit
mother.
The other three case studies are equally
gruesome and unfortunate. In his goal to ensure women and children are
protected from real abusers, Mr. Tong proceeds to light the path to fairness.
He does so, valiantly, by offering his wisdom on how to avoid the situation,
and if that is not possible, how to deal with it.
Ashes to Ashes... Families to Dust
is a powerful and compelling exposé that is the training manual
for the defense. Dean Tong offers sage advice as well as a compendium of
family rights organizations, attorneys, case law and even internet on-line
resources. In this reviewer’s opinion, Ashes to Ashes... Families to
Dust is a must-read!
A vital manual for all parents, grandparents,
and lawyers!
Norwegian2@aol.com, October 4, 1997
The American family is in danger of extinction
as we once knew it, due to false accusations of child abuse and the resulting
"system abuse" of the "child abuse industry." To inoculate parents to protect
their families, this would make a loving baby shower gift. Although it
is best to be forewarned to be forearmed, this book gives you vital information
for you and your attorney to give you the only hope of saving your family
from the "child abuse industry". Only a person who truly cares about saving
your family and who has undergone this devastating experience that never
seems to end could possibly write such a priceless, lifesaving book. Perhaps,
the most outstanding or futuristic feature of the book is the list of web
sites and e-mail addresses. This allows you to link up to the widest variety
of up-to-the-minute information, sample legal forms, experts, and people
who care and want to help your family if they are falsely accused of child
abuse or neglect. This book gives you the added power of the Internet.
No other problem can affect a family as catastrophically and long-term
as these false charges. I have known of a father who was accused of sexually
abusing his daughter. When she had children several years later and had
problems with child protection services, he could not get temporary custody
of his grandchildren to protect them. One child died and the foster mother
was reportedly convicted of murder. One false accusation brought tragedy
that affected at least three generations of their family. The accusation
was proved false, but the grandfather could not get his name off a "Central
registry" where it may remain for the rest of his life and cause more deaths
of his grandchildren. He was cleared and never charged with a crime, but
he can't clear his name from the Central Registry of "suspected" child
abusers. This is legalized slander! Someone that you know stands one false
accusation away from a tragedy that can destroy their family and children
financially, emotionally, morally, and even cause suicide when the pain
becomes too great to bear. Precise information during a crisis is what
"Ashes to Ashes ..." can give to a family and their attorney when
they need help the most !!!
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