Addressing Challenges and Controversies in Child Sexual Abuse Interviewing: The Forensic Evaluation Protocol and Research Project (From Maltreatment in Early Childhood: Tools for Research-Based Intervention, P 83-103, 1999, Kathleen C. Faller, ed.)

• NCJ Number: 182582
• Author(s): Connie N. Carnes; Debra Nelson-Gardell; Charles Wilson
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the means by which a forensic evaluation protocol addresses the challenges and controversies inherent in the field of sexual abuse allegation assessment.

Abstract

The forensic evaluation protocol was designed at the National Children’s Advocacy Center. The article reports the results of a 2-year study in which the efficacy of the protocol was demonstrated in three areas: (1) gathering facts to validate true abuse, thus assisting the child protective and legal systems in case decision making; (2) determining when initial concerning statements of children are actually not due to sexual abuse, but to other events or circumstances; and (3) uncovering false allegations and vindicating the falsely accused. It also describes a multisite research project involving more than 40 Children’s Advocacy Centers across the United States which will further test the efficacy of the model and further refine practice. The multisite project will also include data on the evaluators’ own abuse history and whether this affects evaluation outcomes. Figure, tables, references