NCJ Number
141807
Date Published
1992
Length
54 pages
Annotation
This study examines how cases of child sexual abuse are processed and treated in the child welfare and justice systems in selected rural communities in Alberta, Canada, since the implementation of Bill C-15, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act.
Abstract
Three rural sites were chosen to provide information that can be compared to the results of a larger study conducted in two large cities. Data for each site were obtained from a review of child welfare files, a review of police files, and court observation. The police file review encompassed all cases in which charges were laid or there were court proceedings after January 1, 1988. Findings show that rural child sexual abuse cases were most often intrafamilial, occurring in the victim's home. Victims tended to disclose the abuse to child welfare authorities more often than to family members. Alcohol use was high in the cases examined, and the use of verbal intimidation was relatively high. The rate of reporting of child sexual abuse was higher than in the urban sites; the proportion of cases cleared by charge was also high, as were the proportion of guilty pleas. In Gleichen the occurrence of child sexual abuse was 22 percent higher than the highest urban rate. The nature and structure of the native community and culture made it difficult for victims to disclose their abuse. The Bill C-15 provision that allows the use of videotaped disclosures in court has prompted the videotaping of a high proportion of disclosures; however, no videotaped disclosure has been used in court. Another impact of Bill C-15 is the collaboration of child welfare and criminal justice personnel in the rural areas. The need for self-administered child welfare services is supported by the findings, especially as regards workers understanding and dealing appropriately with the unique community and cultural dynamics associated with the sexual abuse of native children. 24 tables and 2 references