Three times she described exactly what he did to her. The fourth time she swore she lied

S. reported sexual abuse by her mother's partner in three child investigations that were deemed credible, but recanted under pressure from her mother. The prosecution continued the proceedings, and the Supreme Court upheld the perpetrator's conviction. The article examines why child victims of sexual abuse within the family often retract their complaints.

S., a girl who suffered sexual abuse by her mother's partner from age 11, disclosed the abuse in three child investigations that were found to be credible. However, after she was removed from her home to an emergency placement, pressure from her mother—who chose to believe the perpetrator—led her to recant in a fourth investigation and claim it was all a lie. The prosecution decided to continue the proceedings, and the Supreme Court upheld the partner's conviction. The article examines the phenomenon of retraction among child victims of familial sexual abuse, drawing on statements from prosecutors and a social worker from the Haruv Institute, who explain the pressures and conflicts that lead to such retractions.