Effects on the mother subjected to a false allegation of MSBP:

• having been falsely accused of MSBP, a mother often becomes increasingly suspicious and mistrustful of people in position of authority, especially doctors, officials from the Department of Community Services and the police. This then may result in her: 1) behaviour being misinterpreted/re-interpreted 2) failing to attend to both her and her child/ren’s needs and to specific requests from the Department of Community Services and 3) may even result in her fleeing with her 'endangered' child/ren. This is compounded by the fact that invariably she has a sick  child for whom she needs medical care or or a disabled child for whom she needs social services support for the child's special needs.

• Invariably she does not obtain the support and the care that she needs to care for her child(ren). If she has other children, they often suffer as a result of a sick sibling being in constant need of attention and the family's emotional and financial fight to defend themselves against the allegation of abuse. T his can result in the further unintended neglect of her child(ren)’s medical and emotional needs and their physical welfare.

• Even if proved to be unfounded, the allegation of  Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy remains on her child's clinical files and is not amended by the health facility. This then leads other professionals to unnecessarily question, and at times totally disbelieve anything the mother communicates about her child(ren)’s illnesses. This potentially results in the child not being medically examined or treated properly and the child does not receive the medical attention that the child needs.  

• If the child does need medical attention, the parents are often too terrified to take the child to the medical practitioner/hospital. 

• If the child is admitted to hospital, the mother invariably leaves the child in hospital alone, refusing to stay because she is fearful they she will be blamed if anything goes wrong with the child's care and because she does not want to endure hostility from health staff who are of the opinion that she has abused her child. Leaving a sick child alone in hospital, in an unfamiliar and often threatening environment for the child, can itself be regarded as being abusive. Invariably mother's feel they are in a no-win situation, damned if they do damned if they don't

• Mothers who have been accused of MSBP have had to move because of the "there’s no smoke without fire" belief of those around them. Those that stay, invariably endure a barrage of abuse as hostile neighbours and family members find out about the allegation and turn against them.

• Mothers whose children are critically, chronically or confusingly ill are likely targets of an allegation of MSBP and an attempt by health professionals to remove their children to ensure their cooperation. This is especially the case if the mother is vocal in what she wants for her child, or if she questions the medical management of the child.

• An allegation of MSBP automatically isolates, discredits and alienates mothers, puts all of her children at risk of State intervention, and makes all members of the family subject to the policies and procedures of the Dept of Community Services (or equivalent) and the judicial system.

• Mothers often start doubting themselves, trying to think of the things that they have done or said that have lead to the doctors thinking of such an allegation. They often lose their self-confidence and many aspects of daily life become difficult as they then question their judgement and begin to think "am I doing the right thing…"

• Mother/parents often feel defamed in social situations and their credibility is undermined.

• The mothers are usually unable to defend themselves, relying on other medical practitioners to disprove or cast doubt on the allegation/ confirmation of abuse. Other medical practitioners are usually reluctant to become involved in such cases.

• If the mothers are nurses, child care workers, teachers or anyone that works with children, their future employment is potentially compromised and undermined.

• They are often afraid to leave the child in hospital - behaviour which is then mis/reinterpreted as MSBP behaviour.

• The mother/parents endure emotional trauma and distress, suffer from nightmares, insomnia and self-doubt. Many become depressed and are unable to cope with the basic demands of everyday life.

• They are often prevented or blocked from seeking second opinions for their child.

• The parents and especially the mothers lose faith in the medical profession, in social justice, and in the legal system to protect them and their child(ren) and invariably feel powerless to help themselves and their children.

• mother's in particular often feel insecure and at times experience blind fear and panic.

• In court proceedings in U.S. it has been tendered that the removal of a child from it’s mother/parent is equivalent to the death sentence.

• The mother/parents often fear making a complaint, or of even questioning medical practitioners.

• MSBP is a gender specific accusation. Merely being female and a mother puts you at risk of a MSBP accusation.

• An increasing number of mothers and child care workers are facing criminal charges in relation to the accusation of MSBP. 

Effects on the father:

• Father's often feel guilty and impotent about their powerlessness to protect and support their wives, their child(ren) and the integrity of their family life.

• Fathers are seen as colluding or as being naive or gullible when they support their partner against an allegation of MSBP 

• Husbands are often legally advised to separate from the wife to retain custody of the child, rather than staying to support their wife and risk losing the child/children.

• The father's become invisible with accusations of MSBP. One father recounted that the specialist who had made the allegation of MSBP had attempted to create the impression that the mother alone had presented the child for treatment, when the father knew that he had been present during all of the child's consultations with the specialist. The father's account of events was later borne out by the specialist's own correspondence with the child's other treating specialists. 

• Father's often feel guilty and uncomfortably aligned to other men by virtue of their gender to the detriment of their relationships with their wives, when the gender  bias of the accusation is made apparent to them.  

• Father's often contemplate retribution in the form of actual violence against the medical practitioners who have accused their wives

Effects on the relationship:

• Parents and especially the mother invariably feel that they are not listened to, are denied a voice, and denied any form of natural justice.

• Marriage problems develop as a result of the conflict, doubt and continual financial and psychological stressors.

• Invariably the parents become physically exhausted and worn down by  the stress, the continual worry, and fear of further state intervention. This is especially pertinent to families whose child continues to be unwell.

• the family often face financial, as well as marital ruin as a result of the mothers trying to prove their innocence. 

F.R.A.M.E would like to thank all of the parents and their supporters who were prepared to be frank and honest about their inner most thoughts and feelings and without whom this paper would not have been possible.  

F.R.A.M.E would like to invite other mothers, fathers, parent and their supporters to contribute to this paper. (Updated August 2001).