@article{ref1,
title="Delays in the investigation of allegations of child sexual abuse in the Wellington city district 1995-1996: a retrospective study",
journal="New Zealand medical journal",
year="2001",
author="Halsted, S. and Elder, D.",
volume="114",
number="1125",
pages="33-35",
abstract="AIMS: To determine the duration of the statutory investigation process after referral of alleged chid sexual abuse and to assess which components of this process are most prone to delay. METHODS: Retrospective review of police, Child Youth and Family (CYF) and medical records for 123 young persons <17 years old for whom a referral regarding alleged sexual abuse was made to the Wellington Serious Abuse Team from January 1995 to December 1996. RESULTS: There were 82 (66.7%) females and 41 (33.3%) males referred. Maori and Pacific Island children were over-represented in the sample. The median time from referral to evidential interview or diagnostic interview was 47 days. This period was longer for children <5 years of age (66 days) compared with children > or =5 years of age (45.5 days), although this difference was not statistically significant. Although 53.3% of children alleged genital contact, only 26% were referred for a medical assessment. The time from initiation of investigation to completion was a median of 141 days. Reasons for delay were difficult to delineate but appeared to relate to inadequate staffing. CONCLUSIONS: There is an unreasonable delay in the investigation of alleged child sexual abuse. This is particularly concerning in younger children.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0028-8446",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}