Examining the Effects of Child Sexual Abuse Case Evidence on Criminal Justice Outcomes: Preliminary Findings

• In Event: Examining Child Victim’s Engagement in Delinquency and Experiences with the Criminal Justice and Child Welfare Systems

Abstract

The prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) and the lasting toll it has on victims has led to the development of complex multidisciplinary investigative procedures. These investigations seek to uncover corroborating evidence of abuse such as child disclosure, perpetrator confession, witness statements, physical evidence, and the alleged perpetrator’s criminal history. Similarly, CSA cases often vary in the age of the victim, their relationship to the perpetrator, and their victimization experience. Using data from transcribed interviews and police records, the current study uses a mixed methods approach to examine the effects of case characteristics and collected evidence on criminal justice/legal system outcomes (e.g., charges filed, perpetrator plea bargain, case dropped by investigators). This study’s sample was drawn from forensic interviews of suspected CSA victims who sought treatment at a large, Midwestern child advocacy center from 2013 to 2015 (N=137). All cases in the sample were referred to the local police department’s personal crime unit for further investigation. Directions for future research and prevention policy is discussed.

Authors

• Amy Cassedy, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

• Michelle Wojcik, University of Cincinnati

• Nicole Lasky, Northeastern State University

• Bonnie S. Fisher, University of Cincinnati

• Emily Eismann, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

• Robert Shapiro, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

• Heidi Malott, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center