Assessment of dad ‘not professional’
Psychologist never spoke to father in case, tribunal told
Apsychologist who provided an “unprofessional” expert opinion implying a man had sexually abused or would abuse his daughter caused the man “mental torment and anguish”, a tribunal has heard.
She gave the opinion to the Family Court despite never having met or spoken to the father, basing it on factors such as his willingness to change the girl’s nappies, and his habit of showering with the door open.
The psychologist, who has a doctorate in psychology, has interim name suppression and appeared before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal yesterday, having admitted a charge of professional misconduct for her actions.
Professional Conduct Committee lawyer Anita Miller said the case involved “complex and difficult family circumstances”.
The Horowhenua man was married to the child’s grandmother, and had what he described as an affair with his wife’s 21-year-old daughter. The child was the result of that affair.
The man said the affair was consensual, but the child’s mother said it was a one-off incident of rape. Police have investigated the claim and have not laid charges.
The psychologist’s affidavit came several years later amid Family Court proceedings in which the man was seeking partial custody of the girl, who was then 4 years old.
The affidavit included concerns with the man’s keenness to change the girl’s nappy.
The psychologist earlier made reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki and police, but was told the girl had not disclosed any abuse.
She never met or spoke to the man, let alone assessed him or observed him with the girl.
The opinion followed concerns about some of the girl’s behaviour, including compulsive masturbation and putting stickers on the genital areas of drawings of people.
At the time of preparing the affidavit, the psychologist had been registered in the psychological scope of practice for only about two-and-a-half years, had limited experience in assessing and treating children, and had no experience assessing or treating child sex offenders.
The tribunal found her guilty of professional misconduct. Its decision on penalty and name suppression will come in writing at a later date.