The criminal justice system and the sexually abused child. Help or hindrance?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the progress of 59 sexually abused children in the criminal justice system to see whether they testified, whether there were any effects on their self-esteem or behaviour, whether it resulted in depression and what their parents' perceptions of the process were. DESIGN: A prospective study of sexually abused children, with data from interviews with the parents and psychological testing of the children. RESULTS: Thirty-three cases were committed for trial or sentencing, resulting in 20 convictions. Twenty-two children testified at the committal hearing and eight at trials. Although 55% of parents expressed dissatisfaction with the legal system, thinking it was stressful to their children, a comparison of children who did not testify with those who did showed no significant differences on indices of depression, self-esteem or behaviour. As most children were involved in court-preparation programs and most mothers were supportive of their children, these may have been ameliorating factors. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the initial stressful effects of children appearing in court appear to be transient, there should be increased use of screens, closed-circuit television and preparation-for-court programs to make court appearances less intimidating.