Ashes to Ashes, Families to Dust: False Accusations of Child Abuse: A Roadmap for Survivors [Paperback]

Dean Tong (Author)

Editorial Reviews

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 bonafide 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. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Dean Tong; 2 edition (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096548338X
• ISBN-13: 978-0965483384
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,582,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dean Tong, MSc., is a forensic trial consultant and expert whose practice concentrates on contested divorces, custody battles and abuse cases, nationally. He has tendered, been admitted and testified in multiple criminal and civil courts in cognitive child developmental psychology, child abuse investigations, parental alienation and sexual deviancy/interest testing. Author of the critically acclaimed book - Elusive Innocence - Tong has published three books as well as a peer-reviewed scientific journal article. His fourth book, Children of the Lie, is in the works. He has been seen on CNN, Court-TV, Dr. Phil, and scores of other broadcast programs. His web site is www.abuse-excuse.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very important book, for everyone., July 9, 2000

By 

Keith McLeod (Richmond, Va USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ashes to Ashes, Families to Dust: False Accusations of Child Abuse: A Roadmap for Survivors (Paperback)

"America went from a scant 3,000 reported incest cases in 1980, to over 132,000 in 1987. And nearly 500,000 by 1990." This quote from the book alone should tell anyone that this is an extremely important and invaluable book. It is a MUST READ, not only for anyone suddendly faced with allegations of child abuse, but all lawyers, judges, social workers and pyschologists who work anywhere near this area. Finally, we have guidelines for descerning real abuse charges from false ones, and a template for how to defend against the exploding number of false charges, by a team of experts who have worked this field for 20 years. As these charges are made in civil court, no one should be naive about the fact you are guilty until you go to the large expense of proving yourself innocent. And it is no longer only men caught in this. "Today, there is a growing body of allegations against women."

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and compelling...a must-read! - Richard Fuller, October 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ashes to Ashes, Families to Dust: False Accusations of Child Abuse: A Roadmap for Survivors (Paperback)

"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!

Richard Fuller

Senior editor

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scary but so true!, June 20, 2000

By 

Bernadette A. Moyer (Lutherville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ashes to Ashes, Families to Dust: False Accusations of Child Abuse: A Roadmap for Survivors (Paperback)

An excellent book for those falsely accused. In a time where anything a child says is taken as truth it is good to see that Dean Tong found the voice for the falsely accused. Today children know exactly what to say and what to do to get even or back at a parent. Children of divorce are all to often used as weapons against their parents. This book gives attention and detail to the system and the behind the scenes accounting of the process on abuse allegations. Dean Tong gives a voice and manual to the many who are or will be falsely accused. It can happen to anyone, read the book and learn to protect yourself.