Jurors' Perceptions of Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure patterns

Date

2022

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

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Abstract

The process of child disclosure of sexual abuse can be complex. Children often disclose abuse consistently across settings (continuous disclosure), though there is research to support that children may deny abuse or recant their allegations despite the abuse having truly occurred (London et al., 2008; Bradley & Wood, 1996; Malloy, Lyon, & Quas, 2007). In this study, data was collected from voluntary MTurk users (N = 688). Mock jurors responded to a survey assessing perceptions of child credibility, defendant guilt, and child susceptibility to external influence in response to each CSA disclosure pattern (continuous disclosure, denial, recantation). Additionally, expert witness testimony regarding typical child disclosure processes (present or absent) and child age (4- or 8-years-old) acted as independent variables. A number of significant results emerged with respect to disclosure patterns and expert witness presence. Forensic implications and future directions are discussed.

Description

Keywords

child sexual abuse, disclosure, court, jurors, survey, credibility, inconsistency

Citation

Elias, H. (2022). Jurors' Perceptions of Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure Patterns. Master's thesis. West Virginia University.

DOI