title: Assessing the credibility of young children's allegations of sexual abuse: clinical issues.
abstract: In assessing the credibility of young children's (ages 2-7) allegations of sexual abuse clinicians need to know how dynamics of sexual abuse affect disclosure, what situations are most commonly associated with fictitious allegations and how the child's developmental stage affects disclosures. Understanding these issues allows for clear decision making. A clear decision making process flows naturally from an understanding of these issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, S.C.A.N. Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Klajner-Diamond
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wehrspann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steinhauer
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D002657:Child Development; D002667:Child Reactive Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007872:Legal Guardians; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D014342:Truth Disclosure