Abstract
Abstract
Objective
This study examines the impact of Children's Advocacy Centers (CAC) and other factors, such as the child's age, alleged penetration, and injury on the use of forensic medical examinations as part of the response to reported child sexual abuse.
Methods
This analysis is part of a quasi-experimental study, the Multi-Site Evaluation of Children's Advocacy Centers, which evaluated four CACs relative to within-state non-CAC comparison communities. Case abstractors collected data on forensic medical exams in 1,220 child sexual abuse cases through review of case records.
Results
Suspected sexual abuse victims at CACs were two times more likely to have forensic medical examinations than those seen at comparison communities, controlling for other variables. Girls, children with reported penetration, victims who were physically injured while being abused, White victims, and younger children were more likely to have exams, controlling for other variables. Non-penetration cases at CACs were four times more likely to receive exams as compared to those in comparison communities. About half of exams were conducted the same day as the reported abuse in both CAC and comparison communities. The majority of caregivers were very satisfied with the medical professional. Receipt of a medical exam was not associated with offenders being charged.
Conclusions
Results of this study suggest that CACs are an effective tool for furthering access to forensic medical examinations for child sexual abuse victims.
Department
Sociology
Publication Date
10-2007
Journal Title
Child Abuse & Neglect
Publisher
Elsevier
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.04.006
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Wendy A. Walsh, Theodore P. Cross, Lisa M. Jones, Monique Simone, David J. Kolko, Which sexual abuse victims receive a forensic medical examination?: The impact of Children's Advocacy Centers, Child Abuse & Neglect, Volume 31, Issue 10, October 2007, Pages 1053-1068, ISSN 0145-2134, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.04.006. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014521340700244X)
Rights
© 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Forensic Science and Technology Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons, Social Work Commons