NCJ Number
115654
Date Published
1988
Length
185 pages
Annotation
Three studies examine the reporting, identification, and disposition of child sexual abuse in Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
The first study examined the attitudes and reporting behaviors of 50 workers in 10 sexual assault centers and 1 hospital. Results indicated that these workers hesitated to report certain sexual offenses against children because they felt to do so would be futile or result in harmful or unintended consequences. However, the majority chose to report most cases. Decisions to report were based on the strength and credibility of the evidence and perceived risk to the child. The second study used internal police records to examine case processing and prosecution of child sexual abuse. It found that only 40 percent of cases resulted in conviction. Cases more likely to be prosecuted were those in which the suspect admitted guilt, there was corroborative evidence, the child was older, and the relationship of victim to offender was more distant. The final study examined family characteristics in 104 cases of suspected child abuse and tracked them through the criminal justice system. Results showed that victims were usually young and female and suspected perpetrators were predominantly male and related to the victim. Families showed multiple problems including domestic violence, alcoholism, and social isolation. Police accepted more referrals than protective services, and few cases were prosecuted. Chapter notes, figures, tables, and references. See NCJ-115655 and NCJ-115656 for individual articles.