Children as Witnesses: What Do They Remember? (From Handbook on Sexual Abuse of Children: Assessment and Treatment Issues, P 109-136, 1988, Lenore E A Walker, ed. -- See NCJ-113856)

• NCJ Number: 113858
• Author(s): G S Goodman; V S Helgeson
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 28 pages
• Sale Source: Springer Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The article discusses competency examinations of children, how children are treated as courtroom witnesses, innovative techniques that can be used by courts to reduce the stress of the child witness, and the role that can be played by expert witnesses.

Abstract

It argues that in order to understand the role and reliability of the child witness, it is necessary to understand how children's memories work and how they respond when providing eyewitness testimony. While children may recall less than adults, the memories they do report are more accurate and intense than those of adults. Laboratory studies indicate that children can report events accurately if they are questioned properly. The role of anatomical dolls in the questioning of child victims is discussed. Many people involved in the initial interviewing of child witnesses in a child sexual abuse case are unable to conduct a proper interview because they lack an understanding of child development. Sometimes the families of victims may pressure the children to alter or change their testimony. 100 references.