Legal outcomes for children who have been sexually abused: the impact of child abuse assessment center evaluations.
Fifty children who were seen at a Child Abuse Assessment Center (CAAC) were matched on age and relationship to perpetrator with 51 children not evaluated at a CAAC to determine whether the groups differed in legal outcomes in cases of sexual abuse. CAAC children were significantly more likely to have cases filed rather than no-actioned, to have more overall counts charged in filed cases, to have more counts charged against biological fathers and stepfathers who were alleged perpetrators, and to have a greater number of defendants pleading or being found guilty compared to cases involving children not seen at the CAAC. There were also significantly more cases filed for 4- to 6-year-olds and children at least 12 years old if they were seen at the CAAC. The implications of the results are discussed in light of the use of CAACs.
Joa
Debbie
D
Liberty House.
Edelson
Meredyth G
MG
D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002651:Child Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D013404:Suggestion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States