NCJ Number
80430
Date Published
1981
Length
125 pages
Annotation
This study examined the social service and criminal justice systems' response to sexual abuse of children in 9 Minnesota counties, using interviews with 74 professionals who deal with child sexual abuse offenders and 183 substantiated cases of abuse reported in 1978 and 1979.
Abstract
An overview of the child sexual abuse problem covers its extent in Minnesota and the United States, negative effects of such experiences on children, and the manner in which the criminal justice system handles child abuse cases. Methods used to select the counties studied and analyze case records are detailed. Interviews were conducted with 31 child protection workers, 13 law enforcement officers, 16 county attorneys or assistant attorneys, and 14 judges. Mailed questionnaires were completed by 29 therapists and treatment providers. Most respondents stated that child sexual abuse offenders should be criminally prosecuted because they violated the law. They also believed that this action was necessary to ensure that offenders get needed treatment. Although most professionals reported that they had good relationships with colleagues in other agencies, several areas where poor communication and coordination impeded case processing were identified. The need for more treatment programs and improved training in the dynamics of child sexual abuse was mentioned by many respondents. Analysis of the case records showed that most sexual offenders were white males between the ages of 25 and 49. Victims were predominantly white females ranging in age from 5 months to 17 years. Fondling was reported in 41.3 incidents, rape and incest in 33.2 incidents, and deviant sexual acts in the remaining 25.6 percent. Fathers and stepfathers committed approximately 72 percent of the offenses. Only 20 percent of the 183 offenders were convicted of felonies in criminal court, and most of these convictions were in metropolitan counties. Reasons cited for failure to prosecute included difficulties in obtaining reliable evidence, refusal of victims and families to cooperate, and the preference of some child protection workers to handle cases informally. Recommendations for changes in policy and law consider mandated treatment for convicted offenders, methods of facilitating prosecution of such cases, interagency cooperation, and public education programs. Tables and over 50 references are provided. The appendixes contain the interview schedule and questionnaire mailed to treatment providers. (Author summary modified)