NCJ Number
121860
Date Published
1988
Length
28 pages
Annotation
Guidelines or protocols are provided for conducting multi-victim, multi-suspect child sexual abuse investigations, focusing on a team approach in order to minimize the risk of evidence contamination and to provide more comprehensive and humane interviews with the victims.
Abstract
The guidelines, designed for investigating allegations of child sexual abuse in Los Angeles County, California day care facilities and preschools, include procedures to ensure that investigations are carried out in a timely manner and coordinated with appropriate responsible agencies. Terms such as multiple victim and multiple suspect are defined as well as the responsibilities of the following members of investigative teams: law enforcement officers, district attorneys, child welfare agency staff, licensing agency staff, victim/witness agency staff, medical practitioners, and licensed therapists. Investigative guidelines and personnel needs are identified, as are procedures for planning, coordination, needs assessment, and communicating with parents, children, medical professionals, therapists, and the media. Organizational structures and assignments for the investigative team are discussed. Sample letters and questionnaires to parents and therapists are included.