Anatomical dolls: their use in assessment of children who may have been sexually abused.
This article examines anatomical dolls in interviews of children who may have been sexually abused from three perspectives. The article summarizes research findings on anatomical dolls, discusses advantages and disadvantages of using them, and describes endorsed doll uses. Although additional, ecologically-valid research is needed on anatomical dolls, the selective use of anatomical dolls, as communication aids, when interviewing children who may be reluctant or unable to describe sexual abuse is warranted.
Faller
Kathleen Coulborn
KC
Family Assessment Clinic, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. kcfaller@umich.edu
D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000523:psychology; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008348:Manikins; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000592:standards*; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology; D011581:Psychological Tests