NCJ Number
141832
Date Published
1992
Length
221 pages
Annotation
In 1990, the Department of Justice Canada launched a study to determine the effectiveness of Bill C-15, the Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act. Specifically, this study described the relationship between the child welfare system and the criminal justice system in Alberta regarding child sexual abuse, examined the nature of the child victim/witness experience in the criminal justice system, and identified the degree to which the goals of Bill C-15 have been achieved.
Abstract
The data used in the analyses were collected from police, social service, and court information systems; police and social service agency files; court testimony of child victim/witnesses; court transcripts; key informants in the criminal justice system; newspaper articles; and post-court interviews. The study showed evidence of considerable interagency cooperation between the police and local social service agencies in child sexual abuse cases; child welfare workers were the major source of case referral to the police, and the police and social workers frequently conferred on cases. The overall reporting rates in both Calgary and Edmonton were high compared to other provincial and national rates. The testimony of child victim/witnesses seemed to be affected by the occurrence of physical abuse, the length of time between the incident and the court appearance, the number of strangers versus supportive adults in the courtroom, and the outcome of the proceedings. Professionals involved in child sexual abuse cases had mixed reviews on the impact of Bill C-15. Most actors in the system, with the exception of defense lawyers, were open to court innovations, including the use of videotaped testimony. 46 tables and 4 appendixes