Recantation: a case study

This case study explores the problem of recantation, the act of publically declaring that a former disclosure is untrue. Recantation in child sexual abuse cases can be devastating for forensic teams who work with victims of sexual abuse and put the victims of CSA at increased risk of further child sexual abuse. Recanting complicates efforts to protect victims, or other potential victims. When recantation occurs, victims are often placed back in the situation where the abuse occurred, the perpetrator has continued access to the victim and the abuse continues. To prevent recantation, Forensic nurses should be involved in case from the time of disclosure until the case is completed.