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Predictors of Prosecutorial Decisions in Reports of Child Sexual Abuse

NCJ Number
308773
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: 2023 Pages: 488-499
Author(s)
Stephanie D. Block; Hannah M. Johnson; Linda M. Williams; Kristy L. Shockley; Eric Wang; Keith F. Widaman
Date Published
2023
Length
12 pages
Annotation

In this study, researchers sought predictors of prosecutorial decisions in reports of child sexual abuse.

Abstract

This retrospective examination of 500 child sexual abuse reports to prosecutor’s offices found that caregiver support and perpetrator age were significant predictors across all outcome variables, while other factors were barriers to the “prosecute” decision only. Results highlight the complexities of case characteristics that are important at different stages of prosecutorial decision-making and inform future interventions. The researchers analyzed case progress and predictors of attrition, including details about alleged perpetrator(s), victim(s), their families, and other case characteristics. Less than one in five cases proceeded to prosecution. For the full sample, the authors describe all outcomes and differentiate prosecutors’ decisions to (a) intake/close, (b) investigate/close, or (c) prosecute; these stages comprise a 3-level dependent variable. Because it is important to understand which variables are associated with progress to each stage, researchers examined unique predictors of the decisions to “investigate” and to “prosecute.” The multivariate analyses examine 325 cases with a perpetrator aged 16 and older. (Published Abstract Provided)