TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1995//
TI  - The criminal justice system and the sexually abused child. Help or hindrance?
JO  - Medical journal of Australia
A1  - Oates, R. K.
A1  - Lynch, D. L.
A1  - Stern, A. E.
A1  - O'Toole, Brian I.
A1  - Cooney, G.
SP  - 126
EP  - 130
VL  - 162
IS  - 3
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0025-729X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -