NCJ Number
145379
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (1993) Pages: 95-98
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The use of interdisciplinary teams (IDTs) in the evaluation of child sexual abuse cases is critical in gaining the expertise of different professions, especially in the process from disclosure or suspicion to investigation, prosecution, and treatment.
Abstract
Members of IDTs work alongside each other and provide an integrated analysis. IDTs consist of two or more professionals, usually including some combination of physician, social worker, nurse, and psychologist. The doctor gathers a care history and conducts a physical examination; the social worker also takes a case history, but with a different emphasis. The nurse may assist with the physical, but also often works on safety and parenting issues. Nursing diagnoses, including Altered Parenting, are standardized within the profession in the same way psychiatric diagnoses are standardized in the DSM-III-R. Altered Parenting is a diagnosis that frequently addresses placement concerns. The psychologist may help in determining the nature of any individual mental health treatment plan for the victim. Core team members may be complemented by lawyers, nutritionists, police, educators, forensic pathologists, and other relevant professionals. The strength of IDTs lies in the flexibility to assemble a team that can meet the needs of individual clients. 3 references