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““Should children Should children be believed when be believed when
they disclose they disclose sexual abuse?”sexual abuse?”
Katrina BelliveauKatrina Belliveau
Background InformationBackground Information
Sexual abuse is often a “hidden crime” Sexual abuse is often a “hidden crime” (often goes unreported)(often goes unreported)
1 in 10 abuse investigations in Canada 1 in 10 abuse investigations in Canada involves suspected sexual abuse of involves suspected sexual abuse of childrenchildren
Child often the only witness to the Child often the only witness to the crimecrime
Person accused is often a family Person accused is often a family member or someone close to the childmember or someone close to the child
Impact of allegationsImpact of allegations
Families torn apart by false Families torn apart by false allegations allegations
Children (re-)victimized by having to Children (re-)victimized by having to testify against an accusertestify against an accuser
Wrongful convictionsWrongful convictions
ControversyControversy
Some say that any disclosure of Some say that any disclosure of sexual abuse by a child should be sexual abuse by a child should be treated as validtreated as valid
Others contend that children rarely Others contend that children rarely disclose sexual abuse on their own disclose sexual abuse on their own and any disclosure should be treated and any disclosure should be treated as “highly suspect”as “highly suspect”
Supporting ViewsSupporting Views
Children can be resistant to Children can be resistant to suggestionsuggestion
Children lack the sexual experience Children lack the sexual experience needed to make up stories of abuseneeded to make up stories of abuse
Disclosure of sexual abuse of any Disclosure of sexual abuse of any kind should be taken seriously, no kind should be taken seriously, no matter what circumstance leads to matter what circumstance leads to the disclosurethe disclosure
Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome Accommodation Syndrome
(CSAAS)(CSAAS)Summit (1983):Summit (1983): 5 component model for how children disclose 5 component model for how children disclose
sexual abuse in stages:sexual abuse in stages:1)secrecy 1)secrecy 2)helplessness2)helplessness3)entrapment and accomodation3)entrapment and accomodation4)delayed, conflicted and unconvincing disclosures4)delayed, conflicted and unconvincing disclosures5)retraction of disclosure5)retraction of disclosure
-Disclosure can have a dramatic start or be a slow -Disclosure can have a dramatic start or be a slow gradual processgradual process
(as cited in London et al.)(as cited in London et al.)
ResearchResearch
Sauzier (1989):Sauzier (1989):
Longitudinal study on 156 Longitudinal study on 156 (documented) sexually abused (documented) sexually abused children:children:
-looked at both effects and types of -looked at both effects and types of disclosure from childrendisclosure from children
FindingsFindings
56% voluntary disclosures56% voluntary disclosures More likely to disclose to a parent More likely to disclose to a parent
(except in cases where parent was (except in cases where parent was perpetrator)perpetrator)
Accidental disclosure (involuntary Accidental disclosure (involuntary disclosure) puts less stress on disclosure) puts less stress on children than voluntary disclosure children than voluntary disclosure
ResearchResearch Greenstock & Pipe (1999)Greenstock & Pipe (1999) Peer support decreases suggestibility in childrenPeer support decreases suggestibility in children 48 children 5-10 years of age48 children 5-10 years of age School dental visit/invasive procedureSchool dental visit/invasive procedure Interviewed 4 days laterInterviewed 4 days later Children interviewed alone, with an informed peer, Children interviewed alone, with an informed peer,
and an uninformed peer (no dental visit)and an uninformed peer (no dental visit) Younger children (5-7) were less likely to be misled Younger children (5-7) were less likely to be misled
by incorrect information when interviewed in the by incorrect information when interviewed in the presence of a peer (informed or uninformed), even presence of a peer (informed or uninformed), even when the peer contributed nothing to the when the peer contributed nothing to the conversationconversation
Evidence that even highly suggestible children Evidence that even highly suggestible children (preschool age) can resist suggestion in some cases(preschool age) can resist suggestion in some cases
Reasons For False Reasons For False disclosuredisclosure
Custody battlesCustody battles Parent/authority figure can influence Parent/authority figure can influence
the childthe child Suggestive/leading questions can lead Suggestive/leading questions can lead
to implanted memories/false to implanted memories/false allegationsallegations
Children often make up stories Children often make up stories (fantasy vs. reality) especially (fantasy vs. reality) especially younger onesyounger ones
Research for Research for suggestibilitysuggestibility
Poole & Lindsay (2001)Poole & Lindsay (2001)
3-8-year olds3-8-year olds Participation in science experimentsParticipation in science experiments Parents read them a story Parents read them a story
(experienced/non-experienced events(experienced/non-experienced events follow up interview by researchers:follow up interview by researchers: despite age reported the non-experienced despite age reported the non-experienced
events when given open-ended questionsevents when given open-ended questions Importance of exposure to misinformation Importance of exposure to misinformation
from authority figuresfrom authority figures
SuggestibilitySuggestibilitySaywitz, Goodman, Nicholas, and Moan (1991):Saywitz, Goodman, Nicholas, and Moan (1991):
Questioned 5-7 year old girls about details of a medical examQuestioned 5-7 year old girls about details of a medical exam
Regular medical examination/genital examinationRegular medical examination/genital examination
Open-ended, direct, and misleading questions about the touching from Open-ended, direct, and misleading questions about the touching from examinations and to demonstrate using dollsexaminations and to demonstrate using dolls
Immediate testing and three month delayImmediate testing and three month delay
-children questioned immediately after and three months later-children questioned immediately after and three months later
Results showedResults showed
As cited in Bruck et al. (1998).As cited in Bruck et al. (1998).
Suggestibility Suggestibility
Results indicated that in immediate Results indicated that in immediate recall and after a 3 month delay:recall and after a 3 month delay:
-Children make errors in omission -Children make errors in omission (leave out events) and commission (leave out events) and commission (falsely claim to have experienced an (falsely claim to have experienced an event)event)
Interview TechniquesInterview Techniques
Bruck et al. (1998):Bruck et al. (1998): BiasesBiases Stereotype Inducement (e.g. “did the bad Stereotype Inducement (e.g. “did the bad
man do that?”)man do that?”) Atmosphere of the interview (pressure on Atmosphere of the interview (pressure on
the child; lack of a neutral environment)the child; lack of a neutral environment) Use of anatomically correct dolls (these Use of anatomically correct dolls (these
are also highly debated)are also highly debated) Repeated questioningRepeated questioning Context of disclosure Context of disclosure
Voluntary disclosure Voluntary disclosure “suspect”“suspect”
Research suggests that children rarely Research suggests that children rarely disclose sexual abusedisclose sexual abuse
Paine & Hansen (2001):Paine & Hansen (2001):Adult self-report data from an archival study Adult self-report data from an archival study
revealed:revealed:-50% of participants who experienced -50% of participants who experienced
attempted sexual activity or non-contact attempted sexual activity or non-contact sexual experiences did not disclosesexual experiences did not disclose
-54% of children subjected to intercourse did-54% of children subjected to intercourse did not disclosenot disclose-inverse relationship between disclosure and -inverse relationship between disclosure and
severity of abuse severity of abuse
ResearchResearch
Sorenson & Snow (1991)Sorenson & Snow (1991)
Adult self-report dataAdult self-report data Nearly 75% of abuse victims initially Nearly 75% of abuse victims initially
deny abusedeny abuse 75% did not disclose within one year of 75% did not disclose within one year of
abuseabuse 18% waited more than 5 years to 18% waited more than 5 years to
disclosedisclose 7-10% recant confession due to pressure7-10% recant confession due to pressure
Age differencesAge differences
Ceci & Bruck (1993)Ceci & Bruck (1993)
Meta-analysis:Meta-analysis: 88% of the studies (14/16)88% of the studies (14/16) Preschoolers are the most suggestiblePreschoolers are the most suggestible Even older children can be vulnerable to Even older children can be vulnerable to
suggestive interviewing techniquessuggestive interviewing techniques Older children do not reach “adult level” Older children do not reach “adult level”
of resistance to suggestion until early of resistance to suggestion until early adolescenceadolescence
Credibility of childrenCredibility of children
Bruck et al. (1998): Bruck et al. (1998):
Need for:Need for:
-Unbiased neutral interviews-Unbiased neutral interviews
-Limit the number of interviews-Limit the number of interviews
-Avoid leading questions-Avoid leading questions
-Avoid bribes, threats-Avoid bribes, threats
-TRAINING-TRAINING
Important to consider:Important to consider:
Context in which the child disclosesContext in which the child discloses Corroborating evidence of any kindCorroborating evidence of any kind Need to increase the responsiveness Need to increase the responsiveness
of adults to children of adults to children
Limitations to ResearchLimitations to Research
Retrospective research: data from Retrospective research: data from adults in most casesadults in most cases
Longitudinal research is datedLongitudinal research is dated False denials: self-report data onlyFalse denials: self-report data only Children being looked at may have Children being looked at may have
made false allegations of abusemade false allegations of abuse
ConclusionsConclusions
Children need to be treated as a Children need to be treated as a “special population” when it comes to “special population” when it comes to sexual abuse allegationssexual abuse allegations
Need to increase community Need to increase community awareness awareness
Training for people who work with Training for people who work with childrenchildren
More longitudinal research is neededMore longitudinal research is needed
The legal systemThe legal system How do they handle this issue in the legal How do they handle this issue in the legal
system in Canada?system in Canada? Children treated as a “special population”Children treated as a “special population” Children can be accompanied by a “support Children can be accompanied by a “support
person” in courtperson” in court Awareness that children’s testimony is Awareness that children’s testimony is
vulnerable to suggestibility and influence from vulnerable to suggestibility and influence from adultsadults
Can no longer be cross-examined by the Can no longer be cross-examined by the accusedaccused
It is the law to report suspected sexual abuse It is the law to report suspected sexual abuse of childrenof children
Graduate Programs in Graduate Programs in Canada & USACanada & USA
Dr. Barry Trute or Dr. Diane Hiebert-MurphyDr. Barry Trute or Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy University of ManitobaUniversity of Manitobahttp://www.familystrengths.ca/team.html#Contacthttp://www.familystrengths.ca/team.html#ContactDrBarryTruteDrBarryTrute
Sandy K. WurtelSandy K. Wurtele, Associate Professor, Ph.D., e, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Alabama, 1983. Clinical interests: University of Alabama, 1983. Clinical interests: Child sexual abuseChild sexual abuse and pediatric and pediatric psychologypsychology. . Therapy orientation: Behavioral.Therapy orientation: Behavioral.
Janis Wolak (Crimes against Children Janis Wolak (Crimes against Children ResearchResearch Center, University of New Hampshire, US) Center, University of New Hampshire, US)
Discussion Questions:Discussion Questions:
““What would you do if a child What would you do if a child disclosed to you that they were disclosed to you that they were being sexually abused?”being sexually abused?”
““What factors would you consider in What factors would you consider in deciding on a course of action?” deciding on a course of action?”
ReferencesReferencesBruck, M., Ceci, S. J., & Hembrooke, H. (1998). Reliability and credibility of Bruck, M., Ceci, S. J., & Hembrooke, H. (1998). Reliability and credibility of
young children’s reports: From research to policy and practice. young children’s reports: From research to policy and practice. American American Psychologist, 53 Psychologist, 53 (2), 136-151.(2), 136-151.
Bruck, M., Ceci, S. J., & Hembrooke, H. (2002). The nature of children’s true Bruck, M., Ceci, S. J., & Hembrooke, H. (2002). The nature of children’s true and false narratives. and false narratives. Developmental Review, 22Developmental Review, 22 (3), 520-554. (3), 520-554.
Goodman, G.S., Taub, E. P. (1992). Goodman, G.S., Taub, E. P. (1992). Monographs of the Society for Research Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development,in Child Development, 57(2). 57(2).
Greenstock & Pipe (1999). Are two heads better than one? Peer support and Greenstock & Pipe (1999). Are two heads better than one? Peer support and children’s eyewitness reports. children’s eyewitness reports. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 11 Applied Cognitive Psychology, 11 (6), 461-(6), 461-483.483.
London, K., Bruck, M., Ceci, S. J., & Shuman, D. W. (2005). Disclosure of London, K., Bruck, M., Ceci, S. J., & Shuman, D. W. (2005). Disclosure of child sexual abuse: What does the research tell us about the ways that child sexual abuse: What does the research tell us about the ways that children tell? children tell? Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 11 Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 11 (1), 194-226. (1), 194-226.
Paine, M. L., & Hansen, D. J. (2002). Factors influencing children to self-Paine, M. L., & Hansen, D. J. (2002). Factors influencing children to self-disclose sexual abuse. disclose sexual abuse. Clinical Psychology Review, 22, 271-295.Clinical Psychology Review, 22, 271-295.
Poole, D. A. & Lindsay, D. S. (2001). Children’s eyewitness reports after Poole, D. A. & Lindsay, D. S. (2001). Children’s eyewitness reports after exposure to misinformation from parents. exposure to misinformation from parents. JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology, 7 (1), 27-50.
Sauzier, M. (1989). Disclosure of child sexual abuse: For better or for worse. Sauzier, M. (1989). Disclosure of child sexual abuse: For better or for worse. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 12 Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 12 (2), 455-469.(2), 455-469.