NCJ Number
54802
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM, DESIGNED TO SENSITIZE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS TO THE PROBLEMS OF CHILD-VICTIMS DURING JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS, DESCRIBES AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO DEALING WITH CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS.
Abstract
THESE VICTIMS ARE UNIQUE BECAUSE THEY ARE USUALLY SUBJECTED TO CONTINUOUS ABUSE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, ARE LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER DISBELIEF AND INSENSITIVITY WHEN THEY REVEAL THEIR ABUSE, AND WILL OFTEN END UP THE FOCUS OF STRESS IN THE FAMILY. USING CASE HISTORIES, THE FILM PORTRAYS THE INSENSITIVITY OF MANY PROFESSIONALS INCLUDING PROSECUTORS, MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, IN INTERVIEWING CHILDREN AND DEPICTS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH FOR DEALING WITH AND INTERVIEWING CHILDREN. CONCERNED PROFESSIONALS SHOULD UNDERSTAND CHILD DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES WHEN INTERPRETING THE INFORMATION THAT CHILDREN DIVULGE (E.G., CHILDREN OFTEN DO NOT THINK IN TERMS OF YEARS BUT IN TERMS OF HOW OLD THEY WERE WHEN AN EVENT OCCURRED OR WHAT GRADE THEY WERE IN), BE AWARE OF THE DYNAMICS OF SEXUAL ABUSE, AND DEVELOP TECHNIQUES FOR PREPARING CASES FOR COURTROOM INTERVIEWING THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN. JOINT INTERAGENCY INTERVIEWS SHOULD BE HELD WITH THE CHILD IN A COMFORTABLE, HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT TO PREVENT THE CHILD FROM REPEATING THE FACTS TOO MANY TIMES. CHILD ADVOCATES SHOULD PREPARE THE CHILDREN FOR COURTROOM TESTIMONY AND EVENTS AND FAMILIARIZE THEM WITH THE TERMINOLOGY THEY WILL NEED TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. ADVOCATES SHOULD GIVE THE CHILD THE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE TRIAL. (DAG)