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Sexually Abused Children as Witnesses: Progress and Pitfalls (From Child Abuse: New Directions in Prevention and Treatment Across the Lifespan, P 248-267, 1997, David A. Wolfe, Robert J. McMahon, et al., eds. - See NCJ-172926)

NCJ Number
172936
Author(s)
L Sas
Date Published
1997
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines current developments in many communities regarding the interface between abuse victims and the court system.
Abstract
The chapter discusses recent legislative changes in North America's criminal courts in relation to the treatment and reception of child sexual abuse victims who appear in court as witnesses. It includes a detailed description of court preparation techniques, including ways to empower child witnesses, reduce their stress and fears, and help them resist suggestions on the stand by being assertive and direct. The chapter discusses the overall effectiveness of legal amendments to the Canadian Criminal Code, designed to improve children's experiences in court, and the extent to which these changes are routinely implemented. The chapter also includes a clinical case presentation and recent research findings, including: (1) mother's support was the most significant factor relating to positive adjustment in child witnesses at follow-up; (2) level of depression at time of referral and history of violence in the family added significantly to the prediction model; and (3) court process variables influenced the adjustment of children at follow-up but were not as powerful as the support and behavior of their mothers. Figures, tables, references