9 Children & The Law Flashcards
(38 cards)
Why can it be hard to get children to talk about abuse that has happened?
- Sometimes there is no physical evidence
- Sometimes the only evidence is testimony of the child
Young children are more susceptible to procedures that induce _____ ________?
False memories
Investigators and counsellors must use what types of interview techniques when working with children?
Nonleading interview.
What is an example of an open-ended question?
“Tell me what happened.”
“What happened next?”
What is an example of a yes/no question?
“Did zach hit you?”
- Issue with this is you may possibly give them false
memories. Maybe they don’t even know a zach.
What is guided imagery?
Ask the child to go back and put yourself back in that situation. NOT hypnosis, but similar.
What are the three methods used to ask a child about their allegation?
- Open ended questions
- Yes/ no questions
- Guided imagery
What is the problem with guided imagery?
Children may imagine events. They are creative.
What are anatomical dolls?
A doll introduced in the 1970’s with is used as an assessment tool. The dolls permit children to reveal aspects of abuse that they wouldn’t reveal verbally. Abused children will manifest “inappropriate” sexual behaviour.
What are the doll guidelines?
- Dolls should not be used to make the initial diagnosis of
abuse. - Professionals who use the dolls should be properly
trained. - Investigators should be aware of interpersonal factors.
- Interview should be videotaped.
Do they still use anatomical dolls?
Not really. It’s seemed to be too suggestible and attracts too much false information.
Ideally, what should the interviewer do?
- Use opened ended questions.
- yes/no questions lead to suggestion.
- Interviewers should talk to children in a language that
they understand. - Interviews should be documented.
Why can guided imagery be a bad idea?
If the allegation is true, you can re-traumatize the child.
What are stressors for children?
- Lack of information or understanding
- Adjournments, changes and delay
- Public exposure
- Facing the accused
- Cross-examination
What is meant by ‘lack of information and understanding?’
- Being “in the dark” on case development is uncomfortable and confusing.
- First meeting with prosecutor on the day of court is too late for a child.
What are adjournments / changes and delay?
- Some cases take a long time
- It’s frustrating to wait in court for hours for it to be cancelled
- Changes in assigned prosecutor can be unsettling
What does ‘public exposure’ mean?
- Content of testimony can be embarrassing to a child
- May be nervous for strangers watching
- Speaking in public can be hard for children
Why can ‘facing the accused’ be hard for children?
- Obviously scared and intimidated
- Accused may have threatened the child not to tell
Why is cross-examination tough in child cases?
Some lawyers will try on purpose to confuse the child. Double questions, meandering sentences, confusing vocabulary. The tone of the questioning can imply the child is lying.
How many females claim to have been sexually assaulted as a child?
1/4
How many males claim to have been sexually assaulted as a child?
1/8
What is the most common form of child sexual abuse?
Touching / fondling of genitals
What is the percentage of perpetrators that sexually abused the child, are related to that child?
93%
What are the areas affected by child sexual abuse?
- Brain (physically / cognitively)
- Academic / social difficulties
- Affective and somatic disturbances
- Difficulty controlling anger
- Antisocial behaviour and delinquency
- Mental health issues, substance abuse, suicide
