title: Forensic psychiatry in France: the Outreau case and false allegations of child sexual abuse.
abstract: During the Outreau case in France, 13 individuals were falsely accused of child sexual abuse and incarcerated. The author of this article testified as a psychiatric expert when the convictions were appealed. He explains how purposeful false statements by adults, inept expert witnesses, and the judicial assumption that children do not lie converged to create a tragic legal outcome. This article explains how psychiatric experts should conduct evaluations in cases of alleged child sexual abuse.
authors.affiliation: mail@paulbensussan.fr
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bensussan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D002655:Child Custody / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D008192:Deception; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005201:Fantasy; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D005602:France; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007179:Incest / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D033222:Judicial Role; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013404:Suggestion; D014342:Truth Disclosure