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Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a prevalent concern that often leads to severe, life-long consequences. Grooming is an early indicator of CSA, and it is imperative to be able to recognize these behaviors in adult-child relationships to prevent abuse from occurring. Research on CSA and grooming has primarily focused on opposite-sex (male adult and female child) abuse while little research has focused on same-sex (male adult and male child) abuse. The current study examined how the sex of the adult-child pair might impact the identification of grooming behaviors. Participants in this study were presented with a series of vignettes depicting grooming and non-grooming behaviors in either same-sex or opposite-sex adult-child pairs. Participants were more likely to label the behaviors presented as grooming when shown situations involving an opposite-sex adult-child pair as opposed to a same-sex adult-child pair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trauma-informed care (TIC), a system of behavioral treatment practices that focuses on understanding and responding to the effects of adverse experiences via empathic and non-punitive interactions, is a promising intervention for the treatment of academic and mental health problems among youth. However, the effect of TIC on caregivers themselves is uncertain. Even less is known about the relationship between TIC and the well-being of teachers and school staff. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between exposure to criminal victimization (a known predictor of stress), attitudes toward TIC, and perceived stress among a sample of public school teachers and staff members (N = 396). In line with our predictions, increased victimization was associated with increased perceived stress whereas TIC-favorable attitudes were associated with decreased perceived stress. In addition, older participants exhibited lower perceived stress than younger participants. We discuss the current study's limitations and the implications of the current findings for future research and mental health practice in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the impact of victim, offender, and case characteristics on the decision to accept cases of child maltreatment for prosecution. Data were collected over a 2-year period from a large southern Children's Advocacy Center, and the final sample consisted of 467 substantiated cases of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. Logistic regression results indicated that sexual abuse cases were significantly more likely to be accepted for prosecution compared to physical abuse and neglect. Additionally, cases involving female victims and male offenders were more likely to be moved forward. When each type of maltreatment was examined separately, logistic regression results indicated that victim and offender age significantly impacted the decision to prosecute sexual abuse cases. Offender gender and age, as well as availability of medical evidence predicted physical abuse case acceptance, and offender gender and frequency of maltreatment significantly impacted prosecutorial decision making for cases of neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Trichomonas vaginalis infection causes significant morbidity in the United States. Despite its high national disease burden, the epidemiologic characteristics of child and adolescent cases are not well understood. In this study, we aimed to describe the socioeconomic, transmission risk factors, clinical manifestations, and geospatial variables associated with cases of T vaginalis infection in the Houston, Texas, metropolitan area. Methods We performed a retrospective chart abstraction of all T vaginalis cases at 2 large pediatric hospitals in Houston between 2008 and 2016. Results We identified 87 patients (mean age, 16 years; range, 4–18 years); 30% of them were asymptomatic, and 39% were coinfected with another sexually transmitted infection(s). Almost all T vaginalis infections in sexually assaulted patients were diagnosed incidentally. Geospatial analysis identified clustering of cases in areas of high poverty and in minority populations. Conclusions Our findings indicate that children and adolescents are at risk for T vaginalis infection; however, their risk factors might differ from those in adults. In addition, our geospatial analysis revealed the need for dedicated resources in neighborhoods associated with health disparities to prevent future incident cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) coordinated by Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) on the prosecutorial decision to accept or reject cases of child sexual abuse (CSA). This analysis is part of an examination of the utility of CACs as it relates to prosecutorial decisions. Case specific information was obtained on all cases with both child protective services (CPS) law enforcement involvement processed through one Texas CAC, serving multiple counties, from 2010 to 2013. For the purposes of this study one county is listed as rural and one is listed as urban. The study site also unofficially serves several more rural counties. The urban county accounts for approximately 75% of all cases processed through the CAC. The final analyses included 553 cases of alleged CSA. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the utility of MDTs and case coordination among law enforcement and CPS as they relate to prosecutorial decisions. The number of participants at MDT meetings was correlated with an increase in prosecutorial acceptance rates by approximately 30%. Prosecutor presence at MDT meetings was correlated with an increase in acceptance rates by approximately 80%. Official case coordination between law enforcement and CPS was not statistically significant. Results of this study suggest that the MDT model provides a useful tool for prosecutors when determining whether to accept or reject cases of CSA, while official coordination may be less impactful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the correlation between the consistency in a child's sexual abuse outcry and the prosecutorial decision to accept or reject cases of child sexual abuse. Case-specific information was obtained from one Texas Children's Advocacy Center on all cases from 2010 to 2013. After the needed deletion, the total number of cases included in the analysis was 309. An outcry was defined as a sexual abuse disclosure. Consistency was measured at both the forensic interview and the sexual assault exam. Logistic regression was used to evaluate whether a correlation existed between disclosure and prosecutorial decisions. Disclosure was statistically significant. Partial disclosure (disclosure at one point in time and denial at another) versus full disclosure (disclosure at two points in time) had a statistically significant odds ratio of 4.801. Implications are discussed, specifically, how the different disciplines involved in child protection should take advantage of the expertise of both forensic interviewers and forensic nurses to inform their decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the basic tenets of a l983 Texas law permitting videotaped interviews of child victims of abuse to be admissible in civil and criminal proceedings. Discusses how the law is being implemented and how it protects legal rights of child victims, alleged perpetrators, and society at large. (Author/NH)

Thousands of school age children across the United States reside in emergency domestic violence (DV) shelters on any given day. Little is known about how DV shelters address educational needs of child residents. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act specifies educational rights of children experiencing homelessness and requires that school districts employ liaisons to help them enroll and succeed in school. This mixed methods survey of 55 Texas DV shelters obtained shelter personnel perspectives on the quality of educational services provided to child residents and information on how shelters facilitated educational access (e.g., on-site schools, district schools). Quantitative and qualitative findings revealed high levels of satisfaction overall regarding educational services, including relationships between shelter staff and school liaisons, with barriers described by only eight respondents. Barriers concerned transportation, delayed enrollment, safety from DV perpetrators at school, and shelters' lack of knowledge of homeless education policies. We discuss implications for future research and shelter and school practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accuracy of three decades of Texas jury predictions of future violence by capital defendants was tested through retrospective review of the disciplinary records of former death row (FDR) inmates in Texas ( N = 111) who had been sentenced to death under this 'special issue' and subsequently obtained relief from their death sentences between 1989 and 2008. FDR inmates typically had extended tenures on death row ( M = 9.9 years) and post-relief in the general prison population ( M = 8.4 years). FDR prevalence of serious assault was low, both on death row (3.6%) and upon entering the prison population (4.5%). None of the assaults resulted in life-threatening injuries to the victims. Violence among the FDR inmates was not disproportionate compared with life-sentenced capital offenders. Consistent with other research, juror expectations of serious prison violence by these offenders had high error (i.e., false positive) rates. The confidence of legislators and courts in the violence prediction capabilities of capital jurors is misplaced. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the length of time between key events in the criminal prosecution of child sexual abuse cases (charging decision, case resolution process, and total case-processing time), which previous research suggests is related to victims' recovery. The sample included 160 cases in three communities served by the Dallas County District Attorney. Most cases (69%) took at least 60 days for the charging decision, with cases investigated at the Children's Advocacy Center having a quicker time than either comparison community. Only 20% of cases had a case resolution time within the 180-day target suggested by the American Bar Association standard for felonies. Controlling for case characteristics, one of the three communities and cases with an initial arrest had a significantly quicker case resolution time. Total case processing generally took more than 2 years. Implications include the need to better monitor and shorten case resolution time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 20 years there has been a wealth of research pertaining to newspaper coverage of crime and its potential effect on public perception and fear of crime. Although research has shown that crimes such as homicide are disproportionately chosen by newspapers as crime stories over other types of crime, there is little known about how accurately this coverage reflects the true reality of violent crime. Specifically, prior research concerning the newspaper coverage of homicide has failed to address issues relating to either prominence of coverage or yearly fluctuations in coverage. The purpose of this research is to explore the difference between the reality of homicide in Houston, Texas, between 1986 and 1994 and the socially constructed reality of homicide as portrayed by newspaper coverage of homicide incidents. Specifically, what differences are there between actual homicide incidents, those that receive cursory newspaper coverage, and those that receive celebrated newspaper coverage? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent decades have seen juvenile justice broaden its focus from the child and treatment to include offenses and accountability. This expansion, manifest in juvenile codes that support punishment and doctrines that include transfers to adult criminal court, has had significant caseload and fiscal impacts. However, a scarcity of pertinent research and of cost-benefit analyses leaves unclear whether this newer, get-tough focus achieves greater delinquency reduction than previously attained. Combined with a quasi-experimental empirical simulation of the effects of punitive sanctions, a cost-benefit analysis of alternative dispositions in Dallas County, Texas, suggests that harsher sentencing can indeed prevent some offenses. The value of this gain, however, is much less than its cost to produce. As a result, by consuming public resources that might otherwise be invested in more productive purposes within or outside the justice system, the policy of toughness visits substantial opportunity costs on communities that embrace it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the findings of a survey which assessed child sexual abuse preventive programs of public school districts in Texas. Type of programs implemented; Survey planning; Implications of child sexual abuse prevalence.

Examines the prosecution files of child sexual abuse cases in Ector County (Odessa), Texas, to determine the factors that influence the legal disposition of child sexual abuse cases; Method of the study; Primary focus of the study; Findings of the study on child sexual abuse cases.

Objectives: To determine in a population of children who underwent a medical examination after alleged sexual assault the proportion who had unmet medical or psychiatric needs., Design: Retrospective medical record review., Setting: A referral center for alleged child victims of sexual assault in Houston, Tex, from December 1, 2003, through April 30, 2004., Participants: Four hundred seventy-three children (81% girls). Nine children refused all or part of the medical evaluation., Main Outcome Measure: Diagnoses that warranted intervention at the time of the medical evaluation., Results: A medical or psychological diagnosis that required intervention as judged by the examiner was made in 123 children (26%) (95% confidence interval, 22%-30%). In 39 children (8% of the total study population) (95% confidence interval, 6%-11%), the diagnosis had the potential to result in significant patient morbidity if not immediately addressed. In contrast, 44 children (9%) (95% confidence interval, 7%-12%) had probable or definite physical or laboratory evidence that supported the allegation of sexual assault., Conclusion: Among children undergoing a medical evaluation after an alleged sexual assault, important unmet health care needs are at least as common as forensic findings.