Reliable and Fictitious Accounts of Sexual Abuse to Children

Journal of Interpersonal Violence - Tập 2 Số 1 - Trang 27-45 - 1987
David Jones1, Joe McGraw2
1Park Hospital for Children, Oxford
2University of Colorado School of Medicine

Tóm tắt

The various categories of reports of child sexual abuse were examined in Phase 1 of a two-part study. In this first phase, all the reports (N = 576) of child sexual abuse made to the Denver Department of Social Services were categorized. Most reports were reliable accounts (70%), but a small proportion appeared to be fictitious (8%). In Phase 2, fictitious (false) reports of child sexual abuse were examined in detail. Certain clinical features appeared to mark the fictitious reports: lack of emotion and an absence of coercion and threat in the child's account, absence of detail, and several of the children and some adults were suffering from preexisting posttraumatic stress disorders based upon previous experiences. In certain cases, custody or visitation disputes were in force when the allegation arose. Poor quality of interviews with children was sometimes a factor. In our current state of knowledge absolute conclusions are not possible in the absence of corroboration. Tentative conclusions are drawn concerning present clinical practice and suggestions are made for future research.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

Benedek, E. P., Emerging issues in child psychiatry and the law.

Brandt, R.S.T., 31st Annual Meeting of American Academy of Child Psychiatry

10.1016/0145-2134(83)90069-8

10.1016/0145-2134(84)90029-2

Goodman, G. S., 1985, University of Miami Law Review, 40, 181

Goodwin, J., Post traumatic stress disorder in children, 155

Goodwin, J., Sexual abuse: Incest victims and their families, 17

10.1016/S0002-7138(10)60001-5

Horowitz, J. M., False accusations of child sexual abuse.

10.1001/archpsyc.1980.01780140087010

Jones, D.P.H., Fictitious accounts of sexual abuse in child custody and visitation disputes.

Katz, S., Understanding the rape victim, 205

Kerns, D. L., Sexually abused children and their families, 126

Krugman, R., The battered child, 4

Lister, E. D., 1982, American Journal of Psychiatry, 139, 867

National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse., What do we know about unsubstantiated child abuse reports.

The youngest witness: Is there a witch hunt mentality in sex abuse cases?

10.1177/002580247701700406

10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1976.30.3.398

Renshaw, D. C., 1985, Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, 19, 44

Sgroi, S. M., Handbook of clinical intervention in child sexual abuse, 39

10.1016/0145-2134(83)90070-4

Trankell, A., The reliability of evidence.

Undeutsch, V., Reconstructing the past: The role of psychologists in criminal trials, 27