title: Effectiveness of Child Advocacy Centers and the multidisciplinary team approach on prosecution rates of alleged sex offenders and satisfaction of non-offending caregivers with allegations of child sexual abuse: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Child sexual abuse is a multifaceted issue that negatively affects the lives of millions of children worldwide. These children suffer numerous medical and psychological long-term adverse effects both in childhood and adulthood. It is imperative to implement evidence- based interventions for the investigation of this crime. The use of Child Advocacy Centers and the multidisciplinary team approach may improve the investigation of child sexual abuse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of Child Advocacy Centers and the multidisciplinary team approach on prosecution rates of alleged sex offenders and satisfaction of non-offending caregivers of children less than 18 years of age, with allegations of child sexual abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Children under 18 years, of any race, ethnicity or gender with allegations of child sexual abuse. Other participants included in this review are non-offending caregivers of children with allegations of child sexual abuse, and alleged sex offenders. Type of intervention : The use of Child Advocacy Centers and the multidisciplinary team approach on child sexual abuse investigations. Types of outcomes : Prosecution rates of alleged sex offenders and the satisfaction of non-offending caregivers of children with allegations of child sexual abuse. Types of studies: This review includes quasi-experimental and descriptive studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The search strategy aimed to find published and unpublished articles in the English language published from 1985 through April 2015 for inclusion. The databases searched include: PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Criminal Justice Periodicals, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and Criminal Justice Collections. An additional grey literature search was conducted.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two reviewers evaluated the included studies for methodological quality using standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were extracted using standardized data extraction instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Due to heterogeneity between the included studies, statistical meta-analysis was not possible. Results are presented in a narrative form.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of Child Advocacy Centers and the multidisciplinary team approach in child sexual abuse investigation may have positive benefits in increasing non-offending caregivers' satisfaction and prosecution rates of alleged sex offenders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Utilization of Child Advocacy Centers and the multidisciplinary team approach for child sexual abuse investigations may be beneficial in improving prosecution rates and the experiences of families involved. The use of satisfaction surveys for non-offending caregivers may be an effective tool to evaluate the satisfaction with services rendered by Child Advocacy Centers. Findings from this review may help to guide reforms. It is hoped that client satisfaction may lead to or improve utilization of services important for the healing process of victims of abuse. Child Advocacy Center multidisciplinary team interventions may improve prosecution rates and satisfaction of non-offending caregiver’ in children less than 18 years of age with allegations of child sexual abuse (Grade B). When available, children with allegations of child sexual abuse should be referred to Child Advocacy Centers for evaluation (Grade B). The use of non-offending caregiver satisfaction survey is recommended to evaluate the ongoing effectiveness of the Child Advocacy Centers multidisciplinary team approach. The quality improvement process will help measure the quality of care rendered by a Child Advocacy Centers and identify areas in need of improvement so a Child Advocacy Centers can continue to provide optimal care in the investigation of child sexual abuse while improving the utilization of services important for the healing process for victims of abuse (Grade B).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future studies may consider interventions that include greater sample size and more diverse ethnic groups to promote generalizability of findings.
authors.affiliation: College of Health Professions, Pace University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ngozi N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Nwogu
authors.affiliation: College of Health Professions, Pace University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lynet
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.affiliation: College of Health Professions, Pace University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.affiliation: College of Health Professions, Pace University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Archiel B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Buagas
authors.affiliation: The Northeast Institute for Evidence Synthesis and Translation (NEST): a Collaborating Center of the Joanna Briggs Institute.
authors.forename: Rose Mary
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Daniele
authors.affiliation: The Northeast Institute for Evidence Synthesis and Translation (NEST): a Collaborating Center of the Joanna Briggs Institute.
authors.forename: Joanne K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Singleton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002651:Child Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057237:Criminals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D035846:Law Enforcement; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States
keywords: Child abuse; child advocacy centers; child protective services; children's advocacy centers; multidisciplinary team approach; prosecution; satisfaction