NCJ Number
127223
Date Published
1989
Length
256 pages
Annotation
This guide features practical steps for building constructive relationships between lay citizens, victim advocates, police, and other concerned professionals so as to improve the effectiveness of child abuse prosecutions.
Abstract
The opening chapter suggests how to organize community dialog on prosecution performance in child abuse cases. This includes suggestions for establishing a citizen advisory board to help improve the effectiveness of prosecutions. A chapter on the evaluation of prosecution performance in child abuse cases identifies objective performance measures, including the speed with which abuse referrals are screened and cases concluded, the quality of screening decisions and case outcomes, and the degree of support and sensitivity shown by prosecution staff toward victims. Another chapter advises prosecutors in the development of community consensus on how particular child abuse cases should be charged and prosecuted. Advice on the obtaining of adequate prosecution resources for child abuse cases covers the implications of resource restraints, budgeting that involves maximum accountability, and sources of assistance for prosecutors. A chapter on the reform of the legal system to aid child abuse victims includes examples of child abuse reforms obtained by prosecutor-community efforts. Other chapters discuss the implementation of techniques for improving child abuse prosecutions, targeting the natural parent abuser, media relations, and a proactive definition of the prosecutor's role in addressing child abuse. Chapter reference notes