The criminal justice system and the sexually abused child. Help or hindrance?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the progress of 59 sexually abused children in the criminal justice system to see whether they testified, whether there were any effects on their self-esteem or behaviour, whether it resulted in depression and what their parents' perceptions of the process were.


METHODS
A prospective study of sexually abused children, with data from interviews with the parents and psychological testing of the children.


RESULTS
Thirty-three cases were committed for trial or sentencing, resulting in 20 convictions. Twenty-two children testified at the committal hearing and eight at trials. Although 55% of parents expressed dissatisfaction with the legal system, thinking it was stressful to their children, a comparison of children who did not testify with those who did showed no significant differences on indices of depression, self-esteem or behaviour. As most children were involved in court-preparation programs and most mothers were supportive of their children, these may have been ameliorating factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Even though the initial stressful effects of children appearing in court appear to be transient, there should be increased use of screens, closed-circuit television and preparation-for-court programs to make court appearances less intimidating.
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Sydney, NSW.
R K
RK
Oates
D L
DL
Lynch
A E
AE
Stern
B I
BI
O'Toole
G
G
Cooney
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology*; D002652:Child Behavior; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D016495:Police; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept