International Perspectives on Child Abuse and Children's Testimony : Psychological Research and Law

by Bette L. Bottoms

• ISBN13: 9780803956285
• ISBN10: 0803956282
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-06-18
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Child witnesses pose unique challenges to the legal system, and courtrooms are daunting and alien to children. Timely and truly international in scope, this volume focuses on the techniques and procedures used to accommodate child witnesses in legal systems in countries around the world and on the research investigating the effectiveness and implications of those techniques. Featuring the work of renowned scholars from the international psycholegal community, International Perspectives on Child Abuse and Children's Testimony not only provides support for all countries seeking to broaden their approach to child psychology and law but also promotes justice where child protection is virtually unknown. Special emphasis is given to techniques currently in use and under investigation in the United States as well as the U.S. applicability of techniques and procedures used in other countries. At a time when issues surrounding children's testimony are under close scrutiny, International Perspectives on Child Abuse and Children's Testimony provides outstanding findings and guidelines for researchers and practitioners in psychology, medicine, criminology/law, social policy, and social work as well as advanced students in these and related fields.

Table of Contents

International Perspectives on Child Witnesses

An Introduction to the Issues - Amye R Warren and Lucy S McGough

Research on Children's Suggestibility

Implications for the Investigative Interview - Francien Lamers-Winkelman and Frank Buffing

Children's Testimony in The Netherlands

A Study of Statement Validity Analysis - Kathleen J Sternberg, Michael E Lamb and Irit Hershkowitz

Child Sexual Abuse Investigation in Israel

Evaluating Innovative Practices - Louise Dezwirek Sas, David A Wolfe and Kevin Gowdey

Children and the Courts in Canada - Ray Bull and Graham Davies

The Effect of Child Witness Research on Legislation in Great Britain - Rhona Flin, Brian Kearney and Kathleen Murray

Children's Evidence

Scottish Research and Law - Sandra Shrimpton, Kim Oates and Susan Hayes

The Child Witness and Legal Reforms in Australia - Margaret-Ellen Pipe and Mark Henaghan

Accommodating Children's Testimony

Legal Reforms in New Zealand - Dap Louw and Pierre Olivier

Listening to Children in South Africa - Ting-Pong Ho

Children's Evidence

Mandating Change in the Legal System of Hong Kong - Margaret Bull Kovera and Eugene Borgida

Children on the Witness Stand

The Use of Expert Testimony and Other Procedural Innovations in US Child Sexual Abuse Trials - John E B Myers

A Decade of International Reform to Accommodate Child Witnesses

Steps Toward a Child Witness Code - Uma A Segal

Children as Witnesses

India Is Not Ready