Psychologists' involvement in cases of child maltreatment. Limits of role and expertise.
As psychologists have become increasingly involved in the investigatory and adjudicative phases of child maltreatment cases and as criminal prosecutions have become increasingly common in such cases, the ethical problems facing psychologists have become more acute. Psychologists involved in cases of child maltreatment should remember their primary duty to promote human dignity. In that regard, care must be taken to protect the rights of the various parties, assist the parties to make use of the legal process, and keep implicit or express promises, including those emanating from professional roles. Psychologists must be careful to avoid intruding into the province of legitimate decision-making authorities.
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D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D011586:Psychology, Clinical; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States