NCJ Number
118995
Journal
Journal of Clinical Psychology Volume: 44 Issue: 6 Dated: (November 1988) Pages: 1000-1004
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Each year, there are persons who go to jail and lose their life savings, their homes, their reputations, and their jobs because social workers, psychologists, prosecutors, jurors, and judges believe what young children tell them about having been sexually molested.
Abstract
Techniques often associated with psychological science play a prominent part in the process that results in many of the false accusations. The psychological profession's inability, or unwillingness, to speak out against the misuse of unscientifically based instruments in child abuse may be a partial reason why portions of the public may question the value of psychology. 20 references. (Author abstract modified)