NCJ Number
143022
Date Published
1992
Length
118 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes one of several studies of child sexual abuse undertaken by the Canada Department of Justice to provide an accurate description of how the Canadian criminal justice system works and how the social services system deals with child sexual abuse.
Abstract
The department structured a multisite research project to provide comparable data from Calgary, Edmonton, and three rural Alberta locations. Much of the research included comments from interviews with key participants (judges, attorneys, police, social workers, witnesses, victims, and victim families). The findings were evaluated in relation to provisions of Bill C-15, an act amending the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act, that pertain to the sexual abuse of children. It was determined that the police laid charges in more situations between 1988 and 1992 than before because the new law covers a broader range of inappropriate sexual behavior involving children. Fewer violent and intrusive abuse situations were prosecuted over the 4-year period, but more cases involving younger complainants between 4 and 9 years of age were prosecuted. About 70 to 80 percent of child sexual abuse victims were females. The most common form of abuse was genital fondling, which occurred in 42 to 60 percent of cases. Oral sex occurred in 7 to 30 percent of cases, while vaginal penetration with a penis occurred in 11 to 20 percent of cases. Most of those accused were adults, but a significant proportion were under 18 years of age. The overall conviction rate ranged from 59 to 83 percent; incarceration rates ranged from 51 to 74 percent. The authors conclude that changes mandated by Bill C-15 have improved the criminal justice system's approach to child sexual abuse. Appendixes contain additional information on child sexual abuse studies and projects. 4 references