PSYC321 Child Abuse - Taught by Audette PDF

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Summary

Taught by Audette...

Description

Psychology 321 | Forensics!

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February 8 2018 ! "

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Child Abuse

Outline • Child Sexual Abuse Prevalence • Reported Memories of Young Children • Interviewing Children • Testimony at Trial • Recovered Memories Child Sexual Abuse • 1980s and 1990s explosion of reports of sexual abuse • Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS) • Five categories based on primary category of maltreatment ◦ Physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, emotional maltreatment, and exposure to intimate partner violence CIS (2008) • +174,000 maltreatment investigations • +10,000 primary maltreatment was allegation of sexual abuse • Just over 1⁄4 substantiated • Sexual abuse often hidden from criminal justice system ◦ Victims too young to talk ◦ May not see sexual exploitation as abuse ◦ May fear retaliation ◦ May have been threatened by abuser ! Stage Model of Child Abuse Memory • Summit (1983) ◦ disclosing abuse is a dynamic process that includes five stages ("the stage model"): 1. secrecy 2. the formation of a feeling of helplessness, ! 3. the entrapment and accommodation; is a parent/caregiver ! 4. the delay of disclosure (the content of which is not convincing) and ! 5. the disclaiming of the initial statement ! Forensic vs. Clinical • Not just law enforcement • Forensic Evaluation– investigates facts ◦ seeks to establish how and what happened • Clinical Evaluation– assessment and therapeutic intervention ◦ more neutral/supportive approach • Counselling Psychologist role in Forensic Interview ◦ As Interviewer; prepare and conduct forensic interviews ◦ As Trainer; train others who will conduct interviews ◦ As Supportive Adult; Evaluating Children Requires highly developed capacity for empathy and ability to interact with children

Must always bear in mind the best interest of child and protection of child’s rights Must consider child’s maturity, age, type of violation, cultural background and characteristics of the case R v. Sterling • 1992 Martensville, SK • 2 1⁄2 year old child diaper rash • Mother questioned child multiple times • Allegation made against Ron & Linda Sterling, Travis Sterling & a female youth • Repeated interviews with police, medical practitioners, and therapists • + 12 individuals including 5 police officers charged with 180 charges related to Satanic cult called “The Brotherhood of the Ram” • Practiced ritualized sexual abuse of numerous children at a “Devil Church” • Forced to drink urine, eat feces and submit to abuse (i.e. child’s nipple being cut off and eaten; axe handle pushed up a boy’s penis) • Stimulated with penis-shaped, batter- operated vibrators • Evidence of false memory: ◦ Red, white & blue vibrator • Child Interviews conducted by female officer, Claudia Bryden ◦ no training in safe, child interviewing techniques ◦ Motivated to uncover abuse allegations – she herself was abused as a child ◦ Repeated, direct questioning • Police officers suspected • Officer John Popovich picked out of a photo book by one child • Sterling’s acquitted after a 3-month trial • Popovich had all charges dropped when no child could pick him from a lineup • Charges against remaining police officers finally dismissed • Travis and female youth found guilty • Convictions later overturned on appeal • Expert testimony to the leading, coercive and suggestive interviews Children & Recall • Children can remember accurate details • Young children less likely to volunteer information when asked open-ended questions: ◦ Children interviewed about events when they were...