NCJ Number
45162
Date Published
1978
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE ELEMENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION IN CASES OF SUSPECTED CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE DESCRIBED, WITH REFERENCE TO CLINICAL CASES.
Abstract
THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT INCLUDES A COMPLETE MEDICAL EVALUATION OF THE CHILD, INTERVIEWS WITH THE CHILD, MEDICAL EVALUATION OF AND INTERVIEWS WITH SIBLINGS (OR OTHER CHILDREN WHOSE SITUATION IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE TARGET CHILD), INTERVIEWS WITH CARETAKING ADULTS, INTERVIEWS WITH SUSPECTED PERPETRATORS, AND CAREFUL OBSERVATION OF INTERACTIONS AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THE CHILD IN QUESTION. NO SINGLE AGENCY IS EQUIPPED TO CARRY OUT ALL OF THESE TASKS, AND THE POINT AT WHICH THE CHILD AND HIS OR HER FAMILY ENTERS THE HELPING/INVESTIGATIVE/SERVICES SYSTEM VARIES. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL POTENTIAL ENTRY POINTS -- HOSPITALS, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AGENCIES, POLICE DEPARTMENTS, FAMILY SERVICE AGENCIES, MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS -- BE PREPARED TO PERFORM PORTIONS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION SO THAT THE CHILD AND HIS OR HER FAMILY WILL NOT WITHDRAW FROM THE SYSTEM. METHODS AND CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO THE COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE, THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION, AND INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWING ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL. AN OUTLINE OF THE ELEMENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT INCORPORATES THE FOLLOWING POINTS: GENERAL APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM (KEEPING AN OPEN MIND, REMAINING CALM, AND BEING ALERT); APPROACHES TOWARD INVESTIGATON (THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION, INTERVIEWING FOR FACTS AND FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES); AND THE APPROACH TOWARD CHILD PROTECTION (REPORTING, AVOIDING CONFRONTATION, OFFENDER-CHILD RELATIONSHIP, SEX BIAS CONCERNING TARGETS, CONTINUUM OF EXPOSURE, AND IRRESOLUTION). A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.