Citation

Goodman-Delahunty J, Cossins A, O'Brien K. Behav. Sci. Law 2010; 28(6): 769-783.

Affiliation

Australian Graduate School of Policing and Psychology, Charles Sturt University (Manly Campus), Building 44, North Head Scenic Drive, Manly Campus NSW 1655 AUSTRALIA.. jdelahunty@csu.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/bsl.936

PMID

21110393

Abstract

This study investigated the knowledge and misconceptions of jury-eligible citizens about children's reliability as witnesses and responses to child sexual assault (CSA), and examined the influence of expert evidence and judicial directions in challenging common misconceptions. Community volunteers (N = 130) read one of five versions of a simulated jury trial, and completed a pre- and post-trial questionnaire to provide measures of their knowledge of children's responses to sexual abuse, perceptions of victim credibility, and verdict. Results revealed that endorsement of CSA misconceptions negatively impacted ratings of complainant credibility and verdicts. Judicial directions provided before the child complainant testified enhanced complainant credibility, which in turn predicted guilty verdicts. Comparisons of the effectiveness of two procedural legal mechanisms to manage juror misconceptions and improve knowledge about CSA provide guidance for future researchers investigating ways to increase fairness in cases of CSA. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Language: en