NCJ Number
100478
Editor(s)
M McCabe,
R E Cohen,
V Weiss
Date Published
1985
Length
258 pages
Annotation
This book offers a multidisciplinary overview of the legal, medical, and clinical aspects of child sexual abuse.
Abstract
Following an examination of the power dynamics of child sexual victimization, a coordinated approach to intervention is described which combines child protective, law enforcement, and mental health services to the family, victim, and offender. A guide to medical assessment of sexual abuse examines history-taking, physical examination, laboratory evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. The statutory basis for criminal and civil involvement in cases in New York State is reviewed, as is law pertaining to child protective services. The role of the law guardian representing a child victim in protective proceedings under the Familty Court Act of New York is outlined, and the dynamics of sexual abuse pertinent to adjudication are described. Evidentiary issues and dispositional alternatives available in New York are discussed, and the impact of legal processes on the child are examined. Finally, nationwide judicial and legislative reforms, designed to increase prosecution, decrease victim vulnerability, and maintain defendant rights are delineated. New York reporting guidelines and chapter references.