Criminal investigation of child sexual abuse: a comparison of cases referred to the prosecutor to those not referred.
OBJECTIVE
The present study sought to identify characteristics of child sexual abuse cases which differentiate cases referred for criminal prosecution ("criminal-action") from those not referred ("dropped") by investigators.


METHODS
The study sample consisted of 1043 children who completed a forensic interview for sexual abuse that allegedly occurred at the hands of an adult between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1996 in Bernalillo County of New Mexico. Data was systematically obtained from forensic interview files and offender records at the local prosecutor's office.


RESULTS
Differences between criminal-action and dropped cases were found in relation to the children (age, sex and ethnicity), the alleged offenders (age, sex and relationship to child), and the case characteristics (disclosure and injury to the child).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study provided insight into the characteristics of a previously ignored population (reported child sexual abuse cases that are not referred for prosecution). Recommendations are made to address the needs of these children and their families.
Stroud
D D
DD
Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA.
Martens
S L
SL
Barker
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*