Prosecutors’ experiences investigating alleged sexual abuse against pre-schoolers
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Psychology, Crime & Law
Abstract
Investigating and prosecuting cases of alleged child sexual abuse is
challenging, especially if the report concerns a young child. The
present study aimed to examine prosecutors’ experiences
investigating and prosecuting cases of alleged sexual abuse of preschoolers. Ninety-four Swedish child abuse prosecutors participated
in a 2017 national survey regarding their work with these cases and
their experiences collaborating with police and Child Protective
Services (CPS). Their responses were analysed using both
quantitative (descriptive and inferential statistics) and qualitative
(thematic analysis) approaches. The prosecutors described difficulties
eliciting and evaluating testimony from the youngest children,
alongside a lack of corroborative evidence, as the main challenges in
investigating cases of alleged sexual abuse of pre-schoolers. Some
prosecutors reported that an ongoing CPS investigation could
negatively affect the criminal investigation. Furthermore, the quality
of the investigative child interview was described as paramount to
the investigation and as something that could be affected by the
interviewer as well as the resources available to the police.
Suggestions for future research and potential practical implications
for CSA investigations involving pre-schoolers are discussed.
Description
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Keywords
child abuse, prosecution, court, preschoolers
Citation
Ernberg, E., Magnusson, M., & Landström, S. (2020). Prosecutors’ experiences investigating alleged sexual abuse against pre-schoolers. Psychology, Crime & Law, 1-23.