Allegations of non-contemporary abuse may or may not be accurate.

Commonly actual historic abuse has no overt forensic markers. When this is the case assessment and management needs to be meticulous.

It is very damaging for an individual who alleges real events to be disbelieved.

It can be just as damaging for an individual who has not been abused to have spurious allegations of abuse believed.

It is very damaging for an individual who has not committed abuse to be accused of committing abuse.

Professional and forensic inquiry must be conducted in a manner that is consistant with professional guidelines and is cognisant of the possible pitfalls.

Such pitfalls include contamination (e.g. some types of therapy including group therapy), reconstructed/recovered memory and false memory.

Contemporary factors such as conflict, bitterness and anger are highly likely to influence the accurate reporting of historic events.