criminal psychology chapter 8 child sexual abuse talbot kellogg community college
TRANSCRIPT
Criminal PsychologyCriminal Psychology
Chapter 8Chapter 8
Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Abuse
TalbotTalbot
Kellogg Community CollegeKellogg Community College
The McMartin Preschool CaseThe McMartin Preschool Case 19831983 2 ½ year old boy2 ½ year old boy 200 parents were sent letters.200 parents were sent letters. 400 children were assessed with 350 400 children were assessed with 350
being suspected of having been abused.being suspected of having been abused. ““1984 – Preliminary hearing (17 months)1984 – Preliminary hearing (17 months) 1990 – Providers were acquitted on all 1990 – Providers were acquitted on all
charges.charges.
IssuesIssues
What does this case highlight?
Child Abuse StatisticsChild Abuse Statistics Fiction
Batterers are psychopathic personalities. Batterers will stop once they get married. If a batterer is not hitting the child, he/she
is not hurting the child. Police can protect the battered woman. Drinking causes battering. Battered women are uneducated. Batterers are unsuccessful.
Roles of the Psychologist
Diagnostic in nature as it relates to the perpetrator. Sexual Paraphilia
Pedophilia
Pedophilia Diagnostic criteria for 302.2 PedophiliaDiagnostic criteria for 302.2 Pedophilia
(cautionary statement) (cautionary statement) A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies,
sexual urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or sexual urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger). children (generally age 13 years or younger).
B. The person has acted on these urges, or the sexual urges or fantasies cause B. The person has acted on these urges, or the sexual urges or fantasies cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.
C. The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or C. The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in Criterion A. children in Criterion A.
Note:Note: Do not include an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual Do not include an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12- or 13-year-old. relationship with a 12- or 13-year-old.
SpecifySpecify if: if: Sexually Attracted to Males Sexually Attracted to Males
Sexually Attracted to Females Sexually Attracted to Females Sexually Attracted to Both Sexually Attracted to Both
SpecifySpecify if: if: Limited to Incest Limited to Incest SpecifySpecify type: type: Exclusive Type (attracted only to children) Exclusive Type (attracted only to children)
Nonexclusive TypeNonexclusive Type
Implications of this diagnosis?Implications of this diagnosis?
Roles of the Psychologist
Evaluation of the child/ Adult for the presence of abuse.
How?
Roles of the Psychologist
Evaluation of the child/ Adult – assessing allegations.
Interviewing technique dangers (Wood et. al.)
Is content analysis the key?
Criteria for analyzing content (19 total)– Criteria for analyzing content (19 total)– Marxsen, Yuille and Nisbet (1995)Marxsen, Yuille and Nisbet (1995)
1.1. Coherence: Does the statement make sense?Coherence: Does the statement make sense?2.2. Spontaneous reproduction: Rigid and rehearsed or Spontaneous reproduction: Rigid and rehearsed or
spontaneous?spontaneous?3.3. Sufficient detail: Is there the same amount of detail given Sufficient detail: Is there the same amount of detail given
in discussing the abusive event as non-abusive events?in discussing the abusive event as non-abusive events?4.4. Contextual imbedding: Is the account imbedded in a Contextual imbedding: Is the account imbedded in a
distinct time and space?distinct time and space?5.5. Descriptions of interactionsDescriptions of interactions
6. Reproduction of conversation: Verbatim?
7. Unexpected complications during the incident?
8. Unusual details for a child to have made up?
9. Peripheral details?10. Accurate reported details
misunderstood?11. Self-deprecation?12. Pardoning the perpetrator?13. Details characteristic of
the act the may not be common knowledge to a child?
How can the procedures be improved?
Use language which___________________________.
Refrain from________________________. Thorough _______________________.
Determination of Competency
1. Age?2. Assessment of the child?
Children’s Rights During Testimony Goal of the attorneys?
Use of screens or closed circuit TV in order to testify. Not upheld by the Supreme Court.