NCJ Number
121259
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Dated: (July-September 1989) Pages: 226-233
Date Published
1989
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Current interview techniques in child sexual abuse do not pay sufficient attention to the nature of the abused child's memory, the child's own analysis of the predicament, and the impact of post-disclosure trauma, often exacerbated by relatives intent on forcing the child to withdraw the disclosure.
Abstract
Rehabilitative therapy for the child, whose development may be slowed by child sexual abuse, often consists of allowing the child to relieve pent up guilt and anxiety by disclosures. Unconscious denial mechanisms confuse the interviewer seeking evidence who does not sufficiently understand the child's memory functions. The child's view of the predicament may include ambivalent feelings towards the offender which makes consistent testimony difficult to obtain. Post-disclosure trauma is best handled by child psychologists or child psychiatrists unless social workers or police are adequately trained. 15 references.