Criteria and Methodology for Assessing Credibility of Sexual Abuse Allegation

• NCJ Number: 110763
• Journal: Canadian Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 32 Issue: 7 Dated: (October 1987) Pages: 615-623
• Author(s): W H Wehrspann; P D Steinhauer; H Klajner-Diamond
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

This paper considers three types of interviews that are held with sexually abused children.

Abstract

It discusses common problems in technique it and suggests a methodology designed to help determine a child's credibility and assist in forming and demonstrating a reliable expert opinion for court purposes. It describes three types of data crucial in investigating allegations of sexual abuse and suggests clinical criteria useful in distinguishing true from false allegations. It examines the validity of these criteria and compares them to those of other workers in the field. (Publisher abstract modified)