NCJ Number
129328
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (1991) Pages: 191-196
Date Published
1991
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A series of cases of alleged ritualistic child sexual abuse occurring in the Netherlands in 1987 is described in terms of the children's stories and behaviors and physical findings; suggestions for improved evaluations of such cases are proposed.
Abstract
A team of law enforcement officers was assembled to investigate allegations that 98 children in a certain town had been involved in ritualistic child sexual abuse. The children described their experiences of various types of abuse during interviews with the criminal investigative team, but the 18-month investigation did not produce any incriminating evidence such as admissions, photographs, or videotapes. The authors maintain that the investigative techniques used and initial disbelief of the children's stories led to premature disclosure of the alleged events and subsequent community disorder. A survey of the children and their parents revealed some significant behavioral changes including sleep disturbances, enuresis, sexualized behaviors, swearing, aggression, isolation, and anxiety. The authors suggest improved evaluation techniques in ritualistic child sexual abuse cases including sensitivity toward the child victim, use of several interviews to clarify the child's account, involvement of parents, and a standardized physical examination by practitioners experienced in the field of child sexual abuse. 1 reference