NCJ Number
101319
Journal
Legal Service Bulletin Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1985) Pages: 72-75
Date Published
1985
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines the impact of investigative and court procedures on child victims of sexual assault, with special attention focused on procedures to reduce victim trauma used in Australia and elsewhere.
Abstract
During investigation and prosecution of these cases, child victims may have to repeat the story several times to many people, feelings of guilt may be increased, family support may be lacking, cross-examination and the court setting may be threatening, and victims must face the accused. These circumstances may be highly traumatic for children and may adversely affect their testimony. Among innovations to reduce this trauma are the use of social workers or multidisciplinary teams to interview children, specialized police and prosecutorial units, multiagency processing centers, and special training for agency personnel. Other innovations include closed courtrooms, videotaped interviewing and victim testimony, and modification of the court environment. 14 references.