NCJ Number
100871
Date Published
1984
Length
200 pages
Annotation
Testimony, prepared statements, and additional submissions examine the impact of child sexual abuse on the victim and issues related to criminal justice system processing of child sexual abuse cases.
Abstract
Two court cases involving child sexual abuse are reviewed: in the first, a son killed his sexually and physically abusive father; in the second, a 12-year-old refused to testify against her sexually abusing father. Two women discuss sexual abuse allegations arising in custody disputes. Additional testimony recounts the treatment of child and adolescent victims by medical personnel, police, attorneys, and the courts. Also examined are the effects of sexual abuse on the victim, and the further traumatization of the victim who must recount the event repeatedly and must appear before the offender to testify in the adversarial court environment. Some innovative programs designed to reduce the negative psychological impact of case processing also are described. Additional issues considered include a child's competency to testify, procedural reforms to protect the child victim-witness, and constitutional issues in child sexual abuse cases.