Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Child: What to Do When a Single Forensic Interview Isn't Enough

• NCJ Number: 232707
• Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 19 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2010 Pages: 572-589
• Author(s): Kathleen Coulborn Faller; Linda Cordisco-Steele; Debra Nelson-Gardell
• Date Published: September 2010
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For additional articles in this special issue see NCJ-232703-06 and NCJ-232708.

Annotation

This study examined the rationale for using extended assessments in situations where child sexual abuse (CSA) is suspected.

Abstract

This article describes the state of knowledge about extended assessments/forensic evaluations in situations of possible sexual abuse. It provides a critical review of the modest body of relevant research, describes two models for extended assessments, and presents descriptive survey findings of 62 professionals conducting extended assessments, most of whom conduct extended assessments intermittently as part of their other work on sexual abuse cases. Agencies should consider conducting extended assessments with young or traumatized children whose sexual abuse allegations are not resolved with a single interview as well as in complex child sexual abuse cases. (Published Abstract)