@article{ref1,
title="The criminal justice system and the sexually abused child. Help or hindrance?",
journal="Medical journal of Australia",
year="1995",
author="Oates, R. K. and Lynch, D. L. and Stern, A. E. and O'Toole, Brian I. and Cooney, G.",
volume="162",
number="3",
pages="126-130",
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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0025-729X",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}