124 results on '"CHILD victims"'
Search Results
2. Child Maltreatment and Self-rated Health: Mediating Effect of Parent–child Conversation and Moderating Effect of Gender.
- Author
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Seppälä, Piia, Pfeifer, Michael, and Toikko, Timo
- Subjects
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PSYCHOLOGICAL well-being , *FAMILY relations , *CHILDREN'S health , *SOCIAL workers , *CHILD victims - Abstract
Child maltreatment seriously affects children's psychological and social well-being, as well as their physical health. The study aimed to explore the impact of violence experienced by children on their self-rated health. It also examined whether this effect is mediated by parent–child conversations and whether it varies based on the child's gender. The study was based on the Child Victim Survey of 2013 (FSD2943) in Finland. Mediation and moderation models were tested. According to the analyses, violence experienced by a child at the hands of their parents weakened the parent–child relationship, which, in turn, negatively impacted the child's self-rated health. Further, the higher the frequency of experienced violence, the more negative are the health consequences. However, girls had stronger negative health consequences as a result of low frequency of violence than boys. Social workers should pay particular attention to the dynamics within the family when assessing the possibility of child maltreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
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- 2024
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3. Exploring Extreme Violence: Forensic and Psychiatric Analysis of Overkill and Brutal Homicide Cases in Türkiye.
- Author
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Tasdemir, Ilker, Demir, Ahmet, Emin Boylu, Muhammed, Saygili, Sefa, and Karamustafalioglu, Kayihan Oguz
- Subjects
- *
FORENSIC medicine , *CHILD victims , *HOMICIDE , *STABBINGS (Crime) , *JEALOUSY , *FORENSIC psychiatry - Abstract
The objective is to compare the characteristics of individuals involved in homicides with (OBH) and without overkill and brutal features (NBH) assessed by the Council of Forensic Medicine. In the OBH group, female victims and child and adolescent victims were significantly higher. Significantly elevated usage of piercing and cutting instruments was noted in the OBH group. Homicides with overkilling and brutal features – representing the ultimate manifestation of violent homicide cases – exhibiting distinctive features that contrast with typical characteristics of general homicides. These acts are frequently motivated by jealousy and hostility, transcending the mere act of killing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2024
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4. Typologies of sexually motivated abductions: a latent class analysis.
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Warkentin, Noelle, Beauregard, Eric, and Chopin, Julien
- Subjects
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CRIMINAL behavior , *BIVARIATE analysis , *LAW enforcement , *CHILD victims , *ABDUCTION , *CHILD abduction - Abstract
To date, sexually motivated abductions have not received as much attention from researchers in comparison to the acts of abduction and sexual assault alone. Further, the majority of research that is conducted on abductions focuses solely on child victims, creating a gap in the literature. The current study was set forth to identify qualitatively different subgroups of offenders who commit sexually motivated abductions. Using victim, crime, and offender characteristics taken from sexual abduction cases (
n = 1288), a latent class analysis was conducted. Results from the latent class analysis revealed that four subgroups of sexually motivated abductors exist: Convenience Opportunist, Strategic Opportunist, Child Opportunist, and Familiar Opportunist. In addition, bivariate analyses were run to test the latent class solution with different characteristics; results suggest that these subgroups of sexually motivated offenders may not be dependent on some victim lifestyle characteristics. These results provide evidence that there are qualitatively different subgroups of offenders who commit sexually motivated abductions, which may be useful for law enforcement when conducting investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...- Published
- 2024
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5. Historical child sexual abuse cases reported to the police by Indigenous adults in a northern Canadian territory: an exploration of factors affecting the likelihood of charges and convictions.
- Author
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Chenier, Kate, Shawyer, Andrea, Williams, Andrew, and Milne, Rebecca
- Abstract
PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENTThe current research examined historical child sexual abuse files from a northern Canadian police force, looking at factors pertaining to the offence, the complainant and the suspect, in an area with a large Indigenous population. The dataset analysed represented all reported cases (
N = 229) of historical child sexual abuse by Indigenous complainants in the database of the participating force from 2005 to 2019. Analysis of all cases showed charges were more likely in cases with multiple complainants, female complainants and complainants 11–14 years old at the time of the abuse. For cases where charges were laid (n = 135), convictions were slightly more likely in cases with less serious offences. For trial cases (n = 75), multiple complainants, the relationship of suspect to complainant, age of suspect and age difference between complainant and suspect were significantly associated with trial outcome. Ethnicity of suspects showed no relationship to charges or convictions.This research demonstrates the importance of support for all victims of historical child sexual abuse when navigating the difficult process of disclosing abuse and engaging the criminal justice process. In particular, Indigenous men may need increased access to victim services, given the finding that they are less likely to see charges and convictions at trial for their cases. Continued public education encouraging reporting of child sexual abuse, even for victims of historical crimes, is needed as cases with long delays between offence and report are just as likely to result in charges and convictions as cases with less delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...- Published
- 2024
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6. An exploration of police discretion in the identification of child victims of county lines drug trafficking.
- Author
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Espeute, Serena and Lanskey, Caroline
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CHILD victims , *DRUG traffic , *MOTHER-child relationship , *POLICE , *DISCRETION , *EXPLOITATION of humans , *CHILDHOOD attitudes - Abstract
In recent years, children's involvement in County Lines drug trafficking (CL) has been of increasing concern to national government, the police and safeguarding agencies. However, few studies have explored how child victims of county lines are identified by the police. This exploratory research study provides insights into the police decision-making process for identifying child victims of CL. Interviews with eight police officers from three police forces in South England were conducted to understand how they came to recognise children involved in CL as victims and in turn, how this related to decisions to refer children into the UK's formal victim-identification system – the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). The research found decisions to recognise children as victims and later refer them into the NRM varied amongst the police officers in the sample. This was because officers had different understandings of what constitutes modern slavery, considered different factors in their decisions about signs of exploitation, displayed varying attitudes towards children involved in CL and viewed their duties in CL cases differently to one another. The research also identifies various barriers in the process of victim-identification. The most significant barrier appeared to be the over-reliance on victim accounts, compounded by the inability of children to disclose exploitation. The notion that children involved in CL may have experienced differing levels of exploitation and display varying levels of willingness to facilitate CL drug dealing, further complicated understandings of what constitutes a victim and in turn an NRM referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2023
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7. Understanding the Sexual Victimization of Child and Elder Victims under the Lens of Interactional Victimology: A Routine Activities Theory Approach.
- Author
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Chopin, Julien and Beauregard, Eric
- Subjects
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CHILD victims , *CRIME victims , *ABUSE of older people , *SEXUAL assault , *BIVARIATE analysis , *CRIMINALS , *MULTIVARIATE analysis - Abstract
This study aims to further our understanding of sexual victimization using the routine activities theory (RAT) framework. Specifically, this study compared offenders' motivations as well as victims' vulnerability, inertia, gratifiability, and accessibility in elder, child, and younger adult victims. The sample used in this study consists of 931 cases of extrafamilial sexual assaults that occurred in France. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the differences between the cases involving child (n = 193), adult (n = 500), and elder victims (n = 238). First, findings indicate that offenders do not present different motivations depending on the type of victim. Second, analyses suggest that child and elder victims presented similar patterns of suitability in comparison to adult victims. Finally, results show that for both child and elder victims, accessibility represents a major obstacle but manifested differently. Theoretical and practical implications as well as directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2023
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8. Human Rights and the Status of Children as Victims in the Late Cold War.
- Author
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Cosse, Isabella
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HUMAN rights movements , *COLD War, 1945-1991 , *HUMAN rights , *CHILD victims - Abstract
This article argues that in the late 1970s the human rights movement recognised children as subjects in their own right, giving them their own voice. The author questions the claims that until recently the dominant view of victims and their suffering was adult-centric and that human rights and humanitarianism were two unrelated paradigms. In studying this process, the author offers a historiographical contribution that centres on the value of children as a way of gaining new insights into the Cold War and history in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
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- 2023
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9. Massacre of the Innocents: creating a Holocaust memorial libretto.
- Author
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Woolf, Judith
- Subjects
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HOLOCAUST memorials , *HISTORICAL source material , *CHILD victims , *MASSACRES , *MUSICAL form , *HOLOCAUST victims , *HOLOCAUST, 1939-1945 , *ART thefts - Abstract
Part I of the article looks at the challenge of writing Holocaust poetry and music in the light of Adorno's revision of his famous pronouncement about poetry after Auschwitz into an acknowledgment that suffering 'demands the continued existence of art while it prohibits it,' and goes on to consider how the poets Paul Celan, Karen Gershon, Geoffrey Hill, Primo Levi, Sylvia Plath, Peter Porter, Nelly Sachs and Hilda Schiff, and the composers Harrison Birtwistle, David Lumsdaine, Steve Reich and Arnold Schoenberg make use of their personal distance from their subject matter as they attempt to create art out of atrocity. Part II discusses how the historical source material of the author's libretto in memory of the child victims of the Holocaust was crafted into the musical forms of recitative, lieder, lullaby and biblical lament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2023
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10. Hermeneutical Injustice and Child Victims of Abuse.
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Lo, Arlene
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CHILD abuse , *CHILDREN'S rights , *CHILD victims - Abstract
This article analyses how child victims of abuse may be subjected to hermeneutical injustice. I start by explaining how child victims are hermeneutically marginalised by adults' social and epistemic authority, and the stigma around child abuse. In understanding their abuse, I highlight two epistemic obstacles child victims may face: (i) lack of access to concepts of child abuse, thereby causing victims not to know what abuse is; and (ii) myths of child abuse causing misunderstandings of abuse. When these epistemic obstacles cause the child victims to fail to see themselves as being abused and/or to get adults to recognise that they are being abused, I argue that this constitutes hermeneutical injustice. While some may justify obstructing epistemic access to concepts of abuse on the grounds of parental rights and protection of children's innocence, I reply that both grounds are unjust in light of children's basic rights and the fact that children can easily be taught such concepts in a child-appropriate manner. The case of child abuse prompts important reflections on existing epistemic injustice literature, particularly on the ways in which hermeneutical injustice materialises, the epistemic responsibilities of institutional bodies and individuals, and the interrelationship between testimonial and hermeneutical injustice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2023
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11. Cognitive skills and mental health among child victims of armed conflicts and conditions of socioeconomic vulnerability in Colombia.
- Author
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González Hernández, Alfredis, Bonilla Santos, Jasmin, and Padilla-García, Tatiana
- Subjects
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WAR , *CHILD victims , *CIVIL war , *MENTAL health , *EXECUTIVE function , *SOCIAL perception - Abstract
Internal armed conflicts dramatically affect vulnerable populations, especially children. Such traumatic events negative affect mentalhealth, including emotional, cognitive, and behavioral well-being. The present study sought to identify cognitive, emotional, and social cognition states and characteristics of a child population who were victims of forced displacement that was caused by the armed conflict in Colombia. The sample consisted of 140 children, including childvictims of displacement (47 girls and 58 boys) and a comparison group(36 participants; 14 girls, 21 boys) who attended school and lived in relocation zones. Comparative and correlational analyses were performed to examine child outcomes between groups. The results indicated that the victim group had a higher risk, as reflected by scores on clinical and adaptive scales, compared to the comparison group. However, significant differences in performance were observed between the groups in terms of executive functioning tasks and theory of mind. The group of children exposed to displacement processes within the context of the Colombian armedconf lict exhibited better performance in these domains compared to a population without this background, who resided in socially vulnerable areas. These findings provide evidence that children who have experienced displacement because of armed conflict exhibit significant cognitive impairments in tasks related to cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and social cognition. Importantly, these difficulties extend observed among individuals residing in socially vulnerable environments. In fact, the cognitive performance of children without a history of displacement is inferior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2023
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12. Unintended consequences of non-harassment orders: child contact decision-making.
- Author
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McPherson, Rachel
- Subjects
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CRIMINAL procedure , *DECISION making , *DOMESTIC violence , *CHILD victims , *RESTRAINING orders - Abstract
This paper considers the implications and unintended consequences of the increased use of non-harassment orders in criminal proceedings. In particular, it considers how non-harassment orders co-exist with the existing framework for decisions related to child contact proceedings. In this paper it will be shown that while non-harassment orders are needed for the protection of the victim and any child of the family, such orders may impact upon the traditional routes in which child contact decisions are made. This fact has not been the subject of consideration but is very significant given the inherent tension which results in a landscape where there is a trend towards respect for the views of children in Scottish child contact proceedings. It is recommended that priority must now be given to the use of such orders in cases involving children. Opportunities to consider this issue in more detail are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2022
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13. The political economy of child servitude in Liberia, West Africa.
- Author
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Jappah, Jlateh Vincent and Smith, Danielle Taana
- Subjects
SLAVERY ,SERVITUDES ,CHILDREN'S rights ,CHILD victims ,PERSONAL property - Abstract
Child servitude is a form of economic exploitation of children around the world. We examine this phenomenon with local specificity, in Liberia, where it represents a perennial failure of the government to protect children, who are among its most vulnerable citizens. Despite its persistence and high prevalence, child servitude has not been the focus of academic research on Liberia. This paper explores the interplay of transmuted American chattel slavery and indigenous specific Liberian cultural practices of human subjugation against a backdrop of socio-economic inequalities, and their linkages to contemporary child servitude in postwar Liberia. We discuss the impacts of child servitude on victims and recommend policy measures to protect the rights of Liberian children. If postwar Liberia is to achieve its pro-poor developmental agenda, policies must be formulated that address child servitude and other forms of exploitation against Liberian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2022
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14. "You are no longer cubs, you are now lions": examining the constructed masculinities of Islamic State child executioners and their victims.
- Author
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Vale, Gina
- Subjects
CHILD victims ,PROPAGANDA ,MASCULINITY ,TERRORIST recruiting ,LIONS ,AGE groups ,ADULTS - Abstract
Integral to its military and state-building activities, the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organisation recruited and mobilised large numbers of children into its ranks. The group's propaganda publications showcase the commitment and skills of its young male militants, with footage focused on training in weapons handling and hand-to-hand combat. Marketed as a potent weapon against IS' enemies, a sub-set of propaganda videos foregrounds the role of boys in the ultra-violent executions of hostages. This article presents analysis of 20 official IS propaganda videos released between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018, in which 71 boys conducted on-camera executions on behalf of the group. Data presented include the setting and method of killing; the profile and "charge" of the victim; and the boy's nationality, age group, and "justifications" for their acts. Highly staged, these violent displays frame and constitute the status of the young IS "cub" and the adult male hostage as symbols of their respective societies, values, and masculinities. The author examines the juxtaposition of the two figures and their constructed positions in IS' ideological, military, and masculine hierarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
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- 2022
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15. Are sad children more believable? A systematic review of the relationship between emotional demeanour of child victims and juror credibility judgements.
- Author
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Rowsell, Kathryn and Colloff, Melissa F.
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CHILD victims , *SEXUAL assault , *EMOTIONS , *JURORS , *EXPECTANCY theories , *EMPATHY , *CRIMINAL justice system - Abstract
Adult female sexual assault victims who appear emotional are rated as more credible by jurors, which has been termed the emotional victim effect. Two explanations of this effect have been proposed: The expectancy violation theory and the compassionate-affective account. To date, the emotional victim effect in child victims, or the application of these theories to child victims, has not been reviewed. We conducted a systematic review to examine how child victims' emotional presentation influences mock juror credibility judgements. We searched five databases acquiring 1,946 articles. A further two articles were included after initial screening. Following quality assessment, eight studies were identified as suitable for inclusion in the current review, with a total of 2,148 participants. These studies all showed that 'sad' emotional presentation of a child victim increased subsequent mock juror credibility ratings. Type of emotion, proportionality of the emotional response, level of empathy, gender of the participants, and age of the victims, also influenced credibility judgements made by jurors. The review illustrates evidence of the emotional victim effect within the child victim population, discusses possible explanations of the effect, moderating factors, and highlights the important implications of these findings at multiple stages of the Criminal Justice System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2022
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16. When interiority is annulled: The healing of psychic pain, trauma and deprivation in a case of compulsion to child pornography.
- Author
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Grossmark, Robert
- Subjects
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CHILD pornography , *MENTAL healing , *CHILD victims - Abstract
The author describes the prevalence of compulsion to child pornography and notes the sparsity of psychoanalytic engagement with the phenomenon. The author describes his work in a psychoanalytic treatment with a man plagued by a compulsion to child pornography and illustrates the internal dynamics of unmetabolized trauma, identifications and erasure. At the center of the healing process is the patient's painful recognition that the compulsion embodies a destruction of self and that he is identified with both the child victim and the perpetrators in the pornographic scenarios. The phases of the treatment are described and the author recommends an unobtrusive companioning psychoanalytic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
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- 2022
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17. Helping the child or the adult? Systematically testing the identifiable victim effect for child and adult victims.
- Author
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Moche, Hajdi and Västfjäll, Daniel
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CHILD victims ,ADULTS ,VICTIMS - Abstract
Is the identifiable victim effect (IVE; helping a single identified victim more than a statistical victim) stronger for child victims than adult victims? In this paper, we test the effect of identifying a victim and whether that victim is a child or adult on helping motivation and donation behaviors. In three studies (N = 1508) with different samples from different countries, we find no main effect of identifiability on any of our measures, and no support that the IVE mainly occurs for children. However, we find an age effect; child victims receive more help (studies 1a-1b) or evoke a greater motivation to help (study 2) than adult victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2021
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18. Punitive Attitudes Toward Individuals Convicted of Sex Offenses: A Vignette Study.
- Author
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Socia, Kelly M., Rydberg, Jason, and Dum, Christopher P.
- Subjects
- *
CRIME victims , *JUVENILE offenders , *CHILD victims , *DISCIPLINE of children , *ATTITUDE (Psychology) , *SEX crimes , *CRIME - Abstract
The public holds stereotypical beliefs about sex crimes, its perpetrators, and its victims, which may influence punitive attitudes toward individuals convicted of sex offenses (ICSOs). Using a nationally representative vignette survey experiment, we examined whether this punitivity toward ICSOs was influenced by deviations from the stereotypical sex crime case. We also explored whether these influences differed between adult and child victim crimes, and whether they differed between sentencing and post-release supervision policy preferences. We found that the respondents consistently recommended more lenient punishments for female perpetrators and harsher punishments for child victim crimes. A child victim rendered other characteristics less relevant. Despite some similarities between sentencing and post-release policy decisions, male victims elicited longer prison sentences as punishment, while perpetrators with stranger victims yielded more support for post-release policies meant to protect society. Overall, while punitivity toward ICSOs was generally high, the most punitivity was reserved for male perpetrators and child victim crimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2021
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19. Applying a social–ecological framework to Yucheng: 40 years after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and dibenzofurans.
- Author
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Li, Mei-Hui
- Subjects
- *
POLYCHLORINATED dibenzofurans , *POLYCHLORINATED biphenyls , *CIVIL rights , *CHILD victims - Abstract
Although many epidemiological studies have been conducted on Yucheng cohorts, this incident has rarely been examined from social–ecological perspectives. This study adopted a social–ecological model as a framework to provide a more complete description of Yucheng in order to understand its effects on affected individuals, communities, and society. At first, recent studies on Yucheng victim's health effects was updated. Long-term follow-up studies of Yucheng cohort have revealed the adverse health effects exerted on victims and their children. Subsequently, this study uses the disaster ecology model as a conceptual framework to review Yucheng. The movements of Yucheng victims and their supporters have constituted a primary actor for promoting the personal and legal rights of Yucheng victims. Finally, this study discusses how to improve future studies to effectively assist victims in their recovery from this incident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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20. Triply silenced agents: cognitive structures and girl soldiers in Colombia.
- Author
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Martuscelli, Patrícia Nabuco and Bandarra, Leonardo
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CHILD soldiers ,COGNITIVE structures ,MILITARY personnel ,SOCIAL psychology ,CHILD victims ,GIRLS - Abstract
In this article, we employ theoretical tools of social psychology to develop a framework to understand how ideas about children, girls, and child soldiers are constructed and reinforced in the field of International Relations. We show how specific ideas of girls, children and child soldiers as victims are constructed in the United Nation's Agenda on Children and Armed Conflicts between 1999 and 2019, and how these contrast with alternative reports and narratives of girl soldiers' experiences in Colombia. Although there is a growing literature on girl soldiers, we conclude that girl soldiers continue to be a triply silenced group in international policy-making inside the categories of children, girl, and child soldier, particularly in Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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21. The impact of extralegal factors on perceived credibility of child victims of sexual assault.
- Author
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Voogt, Ashmyra, Klettke, Bianca, Thomson, Donald M., and Crossman, Angela
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CHILD victims , *SEXUAL assault , *CHILD sexual abuse , *CONSENT (Law) - Abstract
The study examined the impact of victim age, victim gender, and perpetrator gender, across five domains of witness credibility: accuracy, believability, competency, reliability and truthfulness. The study also investigated which of these sub-constructs is the best predictor of guilt. 231 adult lay-people completed a survey measuring perceived credibility. Victim age emerged as having the most consistent effect, with the 5- and 10-year-old victims rated as more credible than the 15-year-old victim. Despite their legal incapacity to consent to sex, 15-year-old victims appear to be viewed as 'quasi-adults'. Victims were rated as more accurate and truthful when the defendant was male compared to when the defendant was female. This may be due to the availability heuristic, as cases involving female defendants are less common. A significant main effect for victim gender was found for the competency sub-construct, such that males were rated as more competent than females. This result suggests that gendered attitudes and stereotypes may begin in childhood and extend to complainants of sexual assault. Main effects for accuracy and truthfulness, were qualified by three-way interaction effects. The five-factor model of perceived credibility accounted for 42% of variance in guilt perceptions, with truthfulness emerging as the strongest predictor of guilt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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22. Police Interviewers' Perceptions of Child Credibility in Forensic Investigations.
- Author
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Cassidy, Hannah, Akehurst, Lucy, and Cherryman, Julie
- Subjects
- *
FORENSIC sciences , *INTERVIEWERS , *PROFESSIONAL relationships , *CHILD victims , *FOCUS groups , *VICTIMS , *POLICE psychology - Abstract
During investigative interviews, police practice can influence key aspects of child credibility, namely the accuracy, competency, reliability, and truthfulness of their testimony. To date, police interviewers' perceptions of how best to assess child credibility at interview, and how practice impacts upon credibility, have been overlooked. We conducted a qualitative study that examined data from focus groups with 16 English police officers who regularly interview children. The focus group transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, and four main themes were identified – the 4Es: eliciting information, evaluating credibility, empowering the interviewee, and a high-quality end product. Within these themes, police officers acknowledged some responsibility for the perceived credibility of child victims. Poor interviewing practice could decrease the accuracy of the information elicited and cross-examined in court. Registered intermediaries could empower child interviewees and increase their competency. A lack of reliability contributed to evaluating credibility, but this relationship was not straightforward. Finally, obtaining the most truthful account from child victims was not always possible, because there are many barriers to overcome. Our findings suggest the need for a continued focus on interview protocols that facilitate disclosure from child victims and a review of the professional relationship between those who interview children and prosecutors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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23. Mock-juror reactions to multiple interview presentation and rapport-building.
- Author
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Waterhouse, Genevieve F., Ridley, Anne M., Bull, Ray, and Wilcock, Rachel
- Subjects
- *
JUVENILE courts , *INTERVIEWING , *CHILD victims - Abstract
In the UK and some US states, video-recorded investigative interviews of child victims/witnesses can be presented in court as the child's evidence-in-chief. However, there is scarce advice or research on the effect that presenting different sections of the interviews may have on juror perceptions of the child's testimony. Two aspects of testimony presentation are examined here: first, whether to show the rapport-building phase of the interview, and second, the presentation of multiple interviews (i.e. more than one interview with the same child). Participants (n = 103) informed they were watching two interviews of the same child separated by a week had more positive perceptions of the child's testimony than those informed they were watching just one extended interview with a ten-minute break. Also, those watching the rapport-building phase had less positive perceptions of the child's testimony than those who did not watch this phase. Participants' perceptions of the interviewer and their case progression decisions were mainly not related to the above presentational differences. Thus, (i) mock-jurors were not inherently biased against multiple interviews and (ii) decisions regarding whether or not to show the rapport-building phase in court may have significant effects on jurors' perceptions of the child and their testimony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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24. Latent class analysis of post-traumatic stress symptoms and complex PTSD in child victims of sexual abuse and their response to Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
- Author
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Hébert, Martine and Amédée, Laetitia Mélissande
- Subjects
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BEHAVIOR therapy , *CHILD sexual abuse , *POST-traumatic stress , *POST-traumatic stress disorder , *COGNITIVE therapy , *CHILD victims - Abstract
Background: PTSD symptoms are frequent in child victims of sexual abuse. Yet, authors have argued that early trauma could lead to alterations in development that go far beyond the primary symptoms of PTSD and have proposed Complex PTSD as an alternative diagnosis encompassing difficulties in affect regulation, relationships and self-concept. Objective: To delineate profiles in child victims of sexual abuse and explore whether profiles are associated with treatment response to Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Method: Latent class analysis was used to identify symptom profiles at baseline assessment of 384 children ages 6 to 14, recruited in a Child Advocacy Centre following disclosure of sexual abuse. Dimensions of Complex PTSD diagnosis as proposed by the ICD-11 were derived from self-report questionnaires. Results: Latent class analysis identified a best fitting model of three classes: Classic PTSD regrouping 51% of children, Complex PTSD describing 23% of children, and Resilient describing 25% of children. Trauma-focused therapy was associated with a significant reduction of dissociation, internalizing, and externalizing problems for children of all three classes. Trauma-focused therapy was also linked to a significant reduction of PTSD symptoms with larger effect size (d =.90; 95%CI: 0.63–1.16) for children classified in the Complex PTSD class. Conclusion: These findings highlight the utility of a person-oriented approach to enhance our understanding of the diversity of profiles in child victims. The results offer empirical support for the ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD distinction in a clinical sample of sexually abused children and the relevance of this distinction in foreseeing treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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25. Bearing Witness to Suffering – A Reflection on the Personal Impact of Conducting Research with Children and Grandchildren of Victims of Apartheid-era Gross Human Rights Violations in South Africa.
- Author
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Adonis, Cyril K.
- Subjects
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HUMAN rights violations , *CONDUCT of life , *SOCIAL scientists , *CHILD victims - Abstract
Social scientists who conduct qualitative research frequently use emotional engagement to gather information about participants' thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in relation to a particularly research question. When the subject under investigation is related to trauma, listening to, or being exposed to personal accounts of participants' traumatic experiences can carry a significant emotional cost for researchers. This may place them at risk of secondary trauma. In this article, I examine these issues from the context of my doctoral field research in South Africa, which focused on intergenerational trauma amongst descendants of victims of apartheid-era gross human rights violations. I reflect on my positionality as both an insider and outsider and feelings of guilt that emanated from my sense of being privileged and an imposter. I also reflect on the emotional turmoil brought about by my engagement with the trauma of participants and their families. I conclude by sharing the lessons I have learnt, and that have enabled me to sustain my scholarly engagement with intergenerational trauma. Ultimately, this article gives insight into, and raises awareness about, the emotional consequences of conducting trauma research. It offers practical suggestions to help researchers navigate the emotional minefield involved in conducting trauma research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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26. A six-year analysis of sex traffickers of minors: exploring characteristics and sex trafficking patterns.
- Author
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Roe-Sepowitz, Dominique
- Subjects
- *
CRIMINALS , *ANALYSIS of variance , *CHI-squared test , *CRIMINAL justice system , *POLICE , *RACE , *RESEARCH funding , *HUMAN trafficking , *CROSS-sectional method , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *EVALUATION - Abstract
Few studies have explored the characteristics and arrest patterns of sex traffickers, particularly sex traffickers of persons under the age of 18 (minors) in the U.S. The purpose of this study is to understand the behavior and characteristics of a national cross sectional sample of sex traffickers of minors during a six-year period. This study explored cases involving the arrest of sex traffickers of minors or persons under the age of 18 in the United States from 2010 to 2015. Sex traffickers of minors was defined as a person who facilitates and/or benefits by receiving something of value for the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor (person under the age of 18) or attempts to do so. During a systematic online search, 1,416 sex traffickers of minors were identified. The arrests were found in 46 states in the United States, two U.S. territories, and Washington D.C. The sex traffickers of minors were mostly males (n = 1067, 75.4%), and of those with race identified (only 51.6%), 71.7% were African American. Their ages ranged from 15 to 70 years old (M = 28.5, SD = 8.54). Characteristics of the sex trafficker and the sex trafficking situation are analyzed and implications discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Factors associated with reporting delays and severity of childhood sexual abuse in São Paulo, Brazil.
- Author
-
Vertamatti, Maria Auxiliadora F., Strufaldi, Rodolfo, Evans, Dabney P., Drezett, Jefferson, Barbosa, Caio Parente, and Abreu, Luiz Carlos de
- Subjects
- *
CHILD sexual abuse & psychology , *CHILD sexual abuse , *CHI-squared test , *HOUSING , *POISSON distribution , *REGRESSION analysis , *SEX distribution , *SOCIAL stigma , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *EDUCATIONAL attainment , *CROSS-sectional method - Abstract
Negative health outcome and its relationship with length and severity of Childhood Sexual Abuse is well established in the literature. Until recently, this literature consisted disproportionately of studies of adults recalling past events. For guidelines for the treatment of childhood survivors, research focused on child victims may be more relevant. We aim to characterize factors related to long-term and severe sexual abuse among children in São Paulo, Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study of children up to the age of ten, referred to a specialty program on sexual abuse between 2004 and 2013. Length and severity of the abuse were tested for associations with variables related to the abuse using a Chi-square test, followed by the Poisson regression with robust variance for prevalence ratio. Most children experienced abuse were reliant on relatives or friends for housing (45%). The time between abuse and reporting was longer when the perpetrator lived in the same household as the child and when abuse was reported by a relative or friend. Abuse was more frequent among female children, but longer and more severe in males. A lack of independent housing, parents' education and social stigma facilitated childhood sexual abuse by delaying reporting among our sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Examining reluctance and emotional support in forensic interviews with child victims of substantiated physical abuse.
- Author
-
Ahern, Elizabeth C., Hershkowitz, Irit, Lamb, Michael E., Blasbalg, Uri, and Karni-Visel, Yael
- Subjects
- *
PHYSICAL abuse , *CHILD victims , *CHILDREN'S health , *INTERVIEWING - Abstract
Socio-emotional dynamics were examined in 230 forensic interviews of 3- to -13-year-old Israeli children who disclosed chronic physical abuse that could be substantiated. Half of the children were interviewed using the Standard (SP) National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Protocol and the others using the Revised Protocol (RP) that emphasized emotional support from interviewers. When children disclosed physical abuse in the RP interviews, they did so in response to fewer prompts than children in the SP interviews. The number of turns in the transitional phase (during which the interviewer transitioned from rapport-building to exploring the possibility of abuse) was associated with increased directness and more specific utterance types. The younger children displayed reluctance more than older children. The RP interviews were characterized by more emotionally supportive statements throughout. These findings highlight various aspects of child forensic interviews that should be considered when seeking to understand children's willingness to engage with interviewers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. When psychological science fails to be heard: the lack of evidence-based arguments in a ministerial report on child sexual abuse.
- Author
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Dodier, Olivier and Tomas, Frédéric
- Subjects
- *
CHILD sexual abuse , *EVIDENCE-based psychology , *CHILD victims , *AMNESIA , *LIMITATION of actions , *INTERVIEWING in child abuse - Abstract
One of the most debated issues in relation to child sexual abuse (CSA) is whether there should be a limitation period for prosecutions. In 2017 a French ministerial report was released proposing extension of the limitation period in part because of the sometimes long delay between the alleged events and the disclosure of the abuse. For this, the report relied on dissociative amnesia. It also advocated for the development of child victim interview protocols by victim associations. We show that dissociative amnesia is not consensual within the scientific community. Instead, we recommend scientifically reliable cognitive principles to explain the lack of memory. Moreover, interviewing techniques for children have already been designed by memory researchers to enhance recall and report of CSA, from which any uncontrolled deviation might put the child's testimony at risk. We conclude by advocating for the use of evidence-based psychology, and for co-operation between practitioners, judges and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Bullying Affects the Core Self of Children.
- Author
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Saroyan, John
- Subjects
- *
SCHOOL bullying , *BULLYING & psychology , *SOCIAL influence , *CHILD victims - Abstract
The article offers information on the impact of bullying on children. Topics discussed include environments and social influences partially shape the self; child victims as repeated targets of peer bullying and ridicule; and apparent drive for power as aggression in bullies, according to educational theorist Rudolf Dreikurs. more...
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Contact disputes and allegations of gender violence in Spain.
- Author
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Picontó-Novales, Teresa
- Subjects
- *
DOMESTIC violence , *GENDER inequality , *CUSTODY of children , *PARENTING , *COMMUNICATION - Abstract
In Spain, progress is being made to restrict contact between aggressors and their children in cases of gender violence. However, visits and communication, even shared custody, are still granted by judges despite shared custody being prohibited by law in such cases since 2005. Under recent legal reforms, children are now considered primary victims of gender-based violence. However, even today, Spanish judges frequently allow contact and even grant shared custody to the aggressor. This is despite the fact that in cases of gender violence, there are usually measures in force that include restraining orders and prohibitions against communicating with the mother. In these cases, communication between the father and his children is effected through grandparents or at the so-called ‘family meeting points’ - neutral spaces supervised by professionals. Insufficient budgets and shortcomings in the management of these meeting points have led to many problems, including women being murdered by their partners after leaving one of these meeting places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Editorial.
- Author
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Russell, Jo and Sutton, Sarah
- Subjects
- *
CHILD victims , *REFUGEE children , *HOLOCAUST survivors - Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Challenges in assistance provision to child victims of transnational trafficking in South Africa.
- Author
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Warria, Ajwang
- Subjects
HUMAN trafficking laws ,CHILD welfare ,INTERVIEWING ,SAFETY ,SOCIAL workers ,VICTIMS ,QUALITATIVE research ,JUDGMENT sampling ,THEMATIC analysis ,HUMAN trafficking ,RESEARCH bias ,CHILDREN ,PSYCHOLOGY - Abstract
Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Inequalities of Redress: Australia’s National Redress Scheme for Institutional Abuse of Children.
- Author
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Daly, Kathleen
- Subjects
- *
CHILD sexual abuse , *SEX crimes , *SEXUAL assault , *RELIGIOUS institutions , *CHILD victims , *HISTORY - Abstract
The national redress scheme proposed by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is unique and unusual in the world of government redress. It is unique with its inclusion of both care leavers and non-care leavers (it is the only government scheme to do so), and it is unusual in focusing on sexual abuse alone (18% of government schemes do). These unique and unusual qualities come at a price for justice. Care leavers and non-care leavers are different groups with respect to their experiences of abuse and social status as child victims. Unless these group differences are explicitly recognised in guidelines for the monetary payment, care leavers will be disadvantaged. Two corrective measures are proposed: adopting an inclusive understanding of sexual abuse in closed and open settings, and addressing the negative bias that may result from care leavers’ lower social status as children compared to that of non-care leavers. Their lower status is likely to affect (that is, devalue) judgements of the severity and impact of abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. “Children in a Terrible State”: Understandings of Trauma and Child Sexual Assault in 1970s and 1980s Australia*.
- Author
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Featherstone, Lisa
- Subjects
- *
CHILD sexual abuse , *SEX crimes , *SEXUAL assault , *CHILD sexual abuse & psychology , *CHILDREN'S rights , *CHILD victims , *CRIMINAL justice system , *HISTORY - Abstract
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has shown us the multitude of ways that children were vulnerable to sexual violence. This article explores child sexual abuse outside of institutions, and the development of concepts of trauma in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s. From the mid-1970s, there was increased social, medical and legal focus on child abuse. Driven originally by feminists, there was a new interest in the psychological impacts of abuse, including analysis of the grief, despair, fear and anger experienced by survivors. The explosion of interest in child sexual abuse was mainstreamed in the Royal Commission into Human Relationships (1974-1978) and in discussion leading up to the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (1989). Across the 1980s, public recognition grew concerning the dangers of sexual violence against children, and, in particular, the increased knowledge and interest in intra-familial assaults. This article will chart the dramatic shifts in public consciousness around sexual abuse, particularly around ideas of harm and trauma. It will also suggest that despite a substantial change in cultural views on sexual assault, improvements for child victims were slow to filter through to the criminal justice system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. “Children in a Terrible State”: Understandings of Trauma and Child Sexual Assault in 1970s and 1980s Australia*.
- Author
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Featherstone, Lisa
- Subjects
CHILD sexual abuse ,SEX crimes ,SEXUAL assault ,CHILD sexual abuse & psychology ,CHILDREN'S rights ,CHILD victims ,CRIMINAL justice system ,HISTORY - Abstract
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has shown us the multitude of ways that children were vulnerable to sexual violence. This article explores child sexual abuse outside of institutions, and the development of concepts of trauma in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s. From the mid-1970s, there was increased social, medical and legal focus on child abuse. Driven originally by feminists, there was a new interest in the psychological impacts of abuse, including analysis of the grief, despair, fear and anger experienced by survivors. The explosion of interest in child sexual abuse was mainstreamed in the Royal Commission into Human Relationships (1974-1978) and in discussion leading up to the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (1989). Across the 1980s, public recognition grew concerning the dangers of sexual violence against children, and, in particular, the increased knowledge and interest in intra-familial assaults. This article will chart the dramatic shifts in public consciousness around sexual abuse, particularly around ideas of harm and trauma. It will also suggest that despite a substantial change in cultural views on sexual assault, improvements for child victims were slow to filter through to the criminal justice system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Victim age and capital sentencing outcomes in North Carolina (1977-2009).
- Author
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Marier, Christopher J., Cochran, John K., Smith, M. Dwayne, Fogel, Sondra J., and Bjerregaard, Beth
- Subjects
CAPITAL punishment ,CRIME & age ,CRIME victims ,CRIMES against children ,CRIMES against older people - Abstract
Age is prominent among theories of criminology and victimology. It is less conspicuous in punishment theory, despite its emphasis in retributive theory and lawmaking. The present study evaluated competing 'years of life lost' and 'vulnerable victim' hypotheses to examine the influence of victim age in capital sentencing decisions. Using case file data on the population of capital murder trials in the State of North Carolina (1977-2009), our findings produce mixed results. Our quantitative analyses suggest that death sentences are significantly less likely in direct proportion to victim age. Killers of elderly victims are less likely to receive the death penalty; conversely, the odds of a death sentences are slightly greater for killers of child victims. Supplementary qualitative analyses suggest that while many child and elderly victims were not per se 'vulnerable,' a substantial subset of each clearly were treated as such. We discuss implications for vulnerable victim research and the role of quasi-legal factors in case outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Practice narratives enhance children’s memory reports.
- Author
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Whiting, Brittany F. and Price, Heather L.
- Subjects
- *
CHILD victims , *CHILD psychology , *MEMORY , *WITNESSES , *INTERVIEWING - Abstract
Practicing recall of a non-target event prior to discussing substantive issues is a relatively new recommendation for interviews with child victims and witnesses. Despite evidence of the effectiveness of these practice narratives in obtaining detailed reports from children, specific recommendations about the duration and content of these interviews have yet to be systematically investigated. In the present study, 176 children aged 6–10 years watched a magic show and then participated in an interview that began with a practice narrative, with varying length (2 or 5 minutes) and topics (unique or commonplace), or no practice narrative. Conducting a practice narrative of any kind was beneficial to children's subsequent recall of accurate details over no practice narrative. Benefits to children's accurate recall were observed with as little as 2 minutes of practice and practice narratives were particularly beneficial if a unique, rather than commonplace, experience was targeted for practice recall. The present results confirm previous field research and laboratory findings indicating that the substantive phase of the interview is enhanced by conducting a practice narrative and extends the benefits of practice narratives to even a very brief practice narrative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among child perpetrators and victims of violence from the Northern Uganda civil war: Findings from the WAYS study.
- Author
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Amone-P'Olak, Kennedy, Dokkedahl, Sarah Bøgelund, and Elklit, Ask
- Subjects
- *
POST-traumatic stress disorder , *CHILD victims , *CIVIL war , *VIOLENCE , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors , *MENTAL health personnel , *PSYCHOLOGY - Abstract
War experiences are known risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other poor psychosocial outcomes. This study aimed to assess the extent to which perpetrating violence (operationalised as intentional and unintentional killing or mutilation) and being a victim of violence (operationalised as being a victim of violence, e. g., witnessing violence, injuries, torture) predict PTSD and other psychosocial outcomes independently in war-affected youth of Northern Uganda. Data on war experiences, PTSD, psychosocial problems, and socio-demographic characteristics were collected from the youth formerly abducted by the Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) at baseline (mean age = 22.39 years; SD = 10.47) and at follow-up (mean age = 23.52 years; SD = 9.28) using self-report questionnaires. On average, the participants spent 3.13 years in captivity (SD = 2.99) and were abducted at 14.14 years of age (SD = 4.21). Regression models were fitted to predict PTSD and psychosocial outcomes from perpetrating violence controlling for being a victim of violence and demographic characteristics. Thirty-seven percent (n= 168) reported killing or being responsible for killing while in rebel captivity. After adjusting for being a victim of violence, perpetrating violence remained a statistically significant predictor of PTSD and poor psychosocial outcomes such as depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, psychotic symptoms, and conduct problems. Among war-affected youth returning from LRA captivity, perpetrating violence may just be as toxic a risk factor for PTSD and other psychosocial outcomes as being a victim of violence. Mental health workers should consider both the effects of being a victim of violence and perpetrating violence in treatment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. The relation between interviewers' personal characteristics and investigative interview performance in a child sexual abuse context.
- Author
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Lafontaine, Jonathan and Cyr, Mireille
- Subjects
- *
INTERVIEWERS , *INTERVIEWING in law enforcement , *CHILD sexual abuse , *BEST practices , *CHILD victims - Abstract
Despite important progress in knowledge about interview 'best practice' with child victims, few studies had yet evaluated the impact of interviewers' personal characteristics on adherence to these 'best practice'. This study was designed to determine whether interviewers' personal characteristics are associated with adherence to a structured interview protocol (National Institute of Child and Human Development), the use of open-ended questions and the amount of details provided in children's responses during investigative interviews with alleged victims of child sexual abuse. 114 interviews were scored from 13 police investigators after they followed a one-week training program. Results showed that experience, emotional intelligence, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Neuroticism were related with adherence to the protocol and ratio of open-ended questions. Cognitive abilities were related to the amount of details obtained from the child. Generalized estimating equations were used to compare relative contribution of each variable. These findings raise questions about how investigative interviewers are selected and trained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Mode of Children's Testimony and the Effect of Assumptions about Credibility.
- Author
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Antrobus, Emma, McKimmie, Blake M., and Newcombe, Peter
- Subjects
- *
LEGAL testimony , *CHILD witnesses , *JURISDICTION , *CHILD victims , *CHILD sexual abuse , *STEREOTYPES - Abstract
Due to changes in legislation, children's testimony in many jurisdictions can be presented differently to the way in which most adults’ testimony is presented. The present research was conducted to investigate whether the various ways in which children's testimony is given affects how child victims in cases of child sexual assault are perceived in terms of reliability and how their testimony is evaluated. We examined the effect of giving testimony in court via closed-circuit TV (CCTV), via a pre-recorded testimony, and a combination of the two. The results indicate that the timing of the recording of the testimony, and the presence of the child in court, did affect the use of stereotypes in ratings of the case. Stereotypes about children's memories had an effect when an early recording of the child's testimony was lacking and when the child did not appear in court. Furthermore, the effect of these stereotypes was mediated by perceptions of the honesty and accuracy of the child in the case. This indicates that jurors do appear to use assumptions about children's memories and authenticity when making decisions in these kinds of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Disclosure of child sexual abuse: expressed emotions and credibility judgments of a child mock victim.
- Author
-
Wessel, Ellen Margrethe, Eilertsen, Dag Erik, Langnes, Espen, Magnussen, Svein, and Melinder, Annika
- Subjects
- *
CHILD sexual abuse , *DISCLOSURE , *JUDGMENT (Psychology) , *CHILD victims , *CHILD witnesses , *TRUTHFULNESS & falsehood - Abstract
Both lay persons and professionals believe that the emotions displayed by a child witness during disclosure of sexual abuse are a factor of importance when judging the child's credibility. Unfortunately, not all children display emotions according to expectations, leading to misjudgments, and possible miscarriage of justice. In the present study, we examined how lay people's credibility judgments were influenced by a child's displayed emotions during the disclosure of sexual abuse. Participants (n = 119), viewed video recordings of a mock police interview of an 11-year-old child actor disclosing sexual abuse, displaying one of four emotional expressions (angry, sad, neutral, and positive). Results showed that participants were strongly influenced by the emotions displayed; in particular, the display of strong negative emotions (anger) or positive emotions during disclosure significantly reduced judged credibility. The credibility ratings predicted the participantś judgments of the defendant's guilt and the willingness to pass a guilty vote in a hypothetical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Factors Predicting Central Details in Alleged Child Sexual Abuse Victims’ Disclosure.
- Author
-
Alonzo-Proulx, Agnès and Cyr, Mireille
- Subjects
- *
CHILD sexual abuse , *DISCLOSURE laws , *CHILD victims , *AGE determination of children - Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the predictive value of child sexual abuse characteristics (relationship between the child and the suspect, reported coercion, type and frequency of abuse) as well as the disclosure context (disclosure made on purpose or accidentally, maternal belief, and protective actions) on the number of central forensically relevant (CFR) details elicited during the investigative interview of alleged child victims. The effects of the child’s age and use of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Investigative Protocol were controlled for, in order to focus on the aspects of the sexual abuse and disclosure variables. Of the 116 investigative interviews conducted with children aged from 4 to 14 years old, half followed the NICHD Protocol; the other half were conducted by the same 18 interviewers prior to their training in the NICHD protocol. Police files and interview transcripts were analyzed to collect information about the child sexual abuse characteristics, the disclosure context, and the number of CFR details. As expected, the child’s age and use of the NICHD Protocol were the two strongest predictors of the number of CFR details. Coercion (physical and verbal) as well as maternal protection following the disclosure also increased the number of CFR details. Explanations of these results and implications for further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. A Time Trend Study of Swedish Male and Female Homicide Offenders from 1990 to 2010.
- Author
-
Trägårdh, Karin, Nilsson, Thomas, Granath, Sven, and Sturup, Joakim
- Subjects
- *
HOMICIDE , *HOMICIDE rates , *WOMEN murderers , *SEXUAL partners , *ASPHYXIA , *CHILD victims - Abstract
Homicide committed by female offenders is an understudied phenomenon. This study examines whether incidence rates of male-perpetrated and female-perpetrated homicide have changed from 1990 to 2010, and investigates similarities and differences between male and female homicide offenders, by examining a dataset comprising all cases of homicide in Sweden (N= 1,570). The results indicate a decline in the incidence of both male-perpetrated and female-perpetrated homicide during the observed period, as well as stable proportions of female offenders. There were also pronounced differences between male and female homicide offenders with adult victims: victims of female offenders were more often male, intimate partners, intoxicated at the time of the offense, and killed by sharp force injuries. Previous violence between victim and offender was also more common in cases with female offenders, and they committed homicide-suicide less often. There were less pronounced differences between male and female homicide offenders with child victims, but female offenders more often used asphyxia and less often had previous convictions. It can be concluded that incidence rates for male-perpetrated and female-perpetrated homicide have decreased in Sweden, and that male and female offenders with child victims are more similar than male and female offenders with adult victims. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Responsivity factors among offenders.
- Author
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Jung, Sandy and Dowker, Barbara Ann
- Subjects
- *
CRIMINALS , *SEX offenders , *CHILD victims , *DELINQUENT behavior , *SUBSTANCE abuse , *BORDERLINE personality disorder - Abstract
The presence of responsivity issues has the potential to interfere with the delivery of interventions to offenders. The current study investigated differences among extra- and intra-familial child molesters, sex offenders against adult victims, violent offenders, and general offenders on four potential areas of responsivity, using psychometric measures. Differences were found between sexual offenders with child victims and violent offenders on antisocial and substance abuse variables. However, offender groups did not differ on intellectual, borderline personality, mental health, and treatment motivation variables, indicating that regardless of the nature of offending, responsivity barriers should be assessed to ensure treatment gains are maximized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. CORRECTION.
- Subjects
- *
FATHERS , *ACCURACY of information , *CHILD victims , *MOTHERS , *EDUCATIONAL attainment , *CHILDREN'S health - Abstract
This correction notice is for an article titled "Cognitive skills and mental health among child victims of armed conflicts and conditions of socioeconomic vulnerability in Colombia" published in the journal Cogent Psychology. The correction involves an incorrect value in Table 1 of the article. The corrected table provides demographic data for both the study group (n = 105) and the comparison group (n = 36), including age, educational level, mother's education level, father's education level, and gender. The correction ensures the accuracy of the information presented in the article. [Extracted from the article] more...
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church: a review of global perspectives.
- Author
-
Terry, Karen J.
- Subjects
- *
CHILD sexual abuse , *CRIME victims , *CHILD victims , *CATHOLIC priests - Abstract
Child sexual abuse by Catholic priests is a global issue. Reports of abuse proliferated in the US in 2002, giving the appearance that it was an American phenomenon. However, by 2010, it was clear that abuse in the Catholic Church had affected countries around the world. Scholars in the US have published reports evaluating the nature, scope, and causes of the problem. Similarly, public inquiries and commissions have investigated the crises in other western and English-speaking countries, and research is ongoing. The reports have produced similar findings and recommendations for preventing abuse in the future, including better education and training about abuse; the need to respond quickly and thoroughly to victim–survivors; transparency in response to abuse; and coordinated responses with civil authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. A critique of current child molester subcategories: a proposal for an alternative approach.
- Author
-
Marshall, W.L., Smallbone, S., and Marshall, L.E.
- Subjects
- *
CHILD molesters , *CRIMINALS , *PSYCHIATRIC terminology , *CHILD victims , *RISK assessment - Abstract
This paper examines the utility of previous attempts to subcategorize child molesters. We argue that research based on these categorizations has resulted in confusion due to differences across studies concerning which offenders belong in each group. For example, there are no agreed-upon guidelines for identifying a child molester as an incest offender or as a ‘stranger’ offender. We examine research findings associated with previous attempts to subcategorize child molesters as well as the literature on modus operandi. From this, we conclude that current attempts to subcategorize child molesters are flawed. We propose that distinguishing child molesters according to new criteria – that is, whether or not they have been previously associated with their victim – should result in more productive research and provide a better guide for treatment and postdischarge supervision. In our terminology, nonaffiliative child molesters are those offenders who are truly strangers to their victims whereas affiliative child molesters are characterized by an established caregiving relationship with the child for some period prior to the offense. These men, unlike nonaffiliative offenders, engage in a protracted grooming process before offending. Finally, we outline research, treatment, and risk-management strategies relevant to each of our subcategories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. The Influence of Narrative Practice Techniques on Child Behaviors in Forensic Interviews.
- Author
-
Anderson, Gwendolyn D., Anderson, Jennifer N., and Gilgun, Jane F.
- Subjects
- *
CHILD sexual abuse , *CHILD behavior , *CONTENT analysis , *INTERVIEWING , *RESEARCH methodology , *FORENSIC medicine , *REGRESSION analysis , *RESEARCH funding , *STATISTICS , *VIDEO recording , *DISCLOSURE , *CLIENT relations , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *NARRATIVES , *DATA analysis software , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
During investigations of child sexual abuse, forensic interviewers must maintain a delicate balance of providing support for the child while collecting forensic evidence about the abuse allegation required for credible evidence for court purposes. The use of narrative practice techniques can achieve both goals by creating conditions that facilitate the possibility that children will feel safe enough to provide detailed descriptions of the alleged abuse. This article reports findings from an evaluation of a change in practice using the CornerHouse Forensic Interview Protocol in which narrative practice techniques were incorporated into the interview format. Findings show that children provided more detailed accounts of abuse when interviewers used open-ended questions and supportive statements through narrative practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. A Critical Examination of the Causal Link Between Child Abuse and Adult Dating Violence Perpetration and Victimization From a Propensity Score Matching Approach.
- Author
-
Jennings, Wesley G., Richards, Tara N., Tomsich, Elizabeth A., Gover, Angela R., and Powers, Ráchael A.
- Subjects
CHILD abuse ,CHILD victims ,DATING violence ,SIMILAR fact evidence ,COLLEGE students ,CHILD psychology ,MENTAL health ,CRIMES against students - Abstract
There has been a considerable amount of published research investigating the link between experiencing child abuse and later offending and victimization. Most of the evidence gleaned from these studies demonstrates support for a cycle of violence. However, prior research has overwhelmingly been based on correlational observations. Considering this limitation, the current study uses a rigorous, quasi-experimental research design to assess the causal effect of experiencing child abuse on adult dating violence perpetration and victimization. Relying on data from a large sample of college students and utilizing a propensity score matching approach, the results indicate that the link between child abuse and adult dating violence victimization and perpetration is spurious. Study limitations and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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