I'm not sure such a sacrifice would be particularly useful.

its not supposed to be 'useful', its supposed to protect a child from a traumatic and confusing experience. i've thought about this one, becos i've spent a lot of time w/ kids, and i've been open w/ people about my sexuality, and the inevitable questions have been asked on occasions. i could easily be accused of something and i decided some time ago that i wld not contest any such accusation if it came directly from a child.

there are two possibilities: the child is lying, or she is telling the truth.

if she's lying, then adults have manipulated her into it, they will know who they are and i'm not going to let a child suffer as a consequence of their cheap cowardly tricks.

if she's telling the truth, then i'm guilty and i'm not going to stand up in court and call her a lier.

either way, i would try to shield her from the blast if possible.