RT Article
T1 Prosecutors’ experiences investigating alleged sexual abuse against pre-schoolers
JF Psychology, crime & law
VO 26
IS 7
SP 687
OP 709
A1 Ernberg, Emelie
A2 Landström, Sara
A2 Magnusson, Mikaela
LA English
YR 2020
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1765846846
AB 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 pre-schoolers. 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.
K1 Child Sexual Abuse
K1 child interviewing
K1 Child Protective Services
K1 Legal decision-making
K1 Prosecution
DO 10.1080/1068316X.2019.1709639