Counseling Chapter 8 Irm Disclosed Information About His Abuse Young And You Have Concerns About

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IRM 8-18

disclosed information about his abuse, he is young, and you have concerns about his ability to

testify if the case is brought to trial. You must now decide how to proceed with the criminal

investigation of the case.

You can chose to contact the district attorney’s office and request for a formal acceptance of

What would you do?

a. Contact the district attorney’s office and request a formal acceptance of charges against the child’s

mother. You believe that the testimonial evidence provided by the child victim is the best evidence you

Summary A

You decide to contact the district attorney’s office and request a formal acceptance of charges

against the child’s mother. You believe that the testimonial evidence provided by the child victim is

the best evidence you will have in this case and further investigation will prove fruitless. Months

In these types of situations, it’s essential to balance the need to establish the credibility of the child

victim’s testimony without compounding the child’s suffering or adding to his or her trauma.

To learn more about how the justice system responds to cases of child sexual assault, see

“Physically and Sexually Abused Children” and “Abused Children and Legal Proceedings.”

Summary B

You decide to delay with your request for formal charges and proceed to investigate the case

further. You decide it is best to interview other potential witnesses that may be able to provide

additional corroborating evidence, strengthening the case. You interview the daycare provider that

IRM 8-19

you. You know from your training and experience that children who are abused by family

members and acquaintances are often well bonded and cared for by the person who is abusing

them. After conducting what you feel is a thorough investigation, you contact the district attorney’s

office and request a formal acceptance of charges against the child’s mother. Months after the

formal charging of the perpetrator, the assistant district attorney and the defense attorney for the

perpetrator reach a plea deal, and the mother pleads guilty to a lesser charge of child sexual abuse.

She is sentenced to 10 years in prison, and will have to register as a sex offender for the remainder

You make the decision to refer the child for an extended forensic assessment. One week later he is

brought in to the advocacy center by his foster care providers to begin his assessment. Once a week

for the next four weeks, the child is brought in for an hour-long session with the forensic

interviewer. The first two sessions consist of the child developing a rapport with the interviewer

and establishing the ground rules for the interview (such as informing the child that it’s acceptable

Let’s review two more concepts before you make another decision about this scene.

Question 3

What is a tactic commonly utilized by those who sexually abuse children that involves very subtle

coercion, persuasion, or manipulation called?

a. grooming

b. SAID syndrome

c. pseudo memories

d. funnel mode

IRM 8-20

c. Incorrect. Grooming is a tactic commonly utilized by those who sexually abuse children that involves

very subtle coercion, persuasion, or manipulation. Pseudo memories are delusions arising from the

therapist’s repetition of persuasive suggestions. See “Physically and Sexually Abused Children,” LO7,

Bloom’s: Remember

d. Incorrect. Grooming is a tactic commonly utilized by those who sexually abuse children that involves

very subtle coercion, persuasion, or manipulation. Funnel mode is best described as a leaky net and

describes how while many crimes take place, very few guilty parties end up incarcerated. See “Physically

and Sexually Abused Children,” LO7, Bloom’s: Remember

Question 4

Based on research surrounding sexual abuse of children, which of the following statements is NOT

correct?

a. Children who are sexually abused are most commonly abused by strangers.

b. Estimating the prevalence of sexual abuse is difficult due to underreporting.

c. Children that grow up in poverty are more likely to be victims of sexual abuse.

d. Sexual abuse of children often occurs in tandem with other forms of abuse, violence, and crime.

What Would You Do?

As the child has disclosed and confirmed to a forensic interviewer during an extended forensic

assessment that he was the victim of sexual abuse, as a detective, you must now decide of how to

proceed with the case and the filing of formal charges.

Child sexual abuse cases can be the some of the most difficult cases to investigate, as they often rely

solely on the testimonial evidence of the child victim. While the victim in this case disclosed

information about his abuse, he is young, and you have concerns about his ability to testify if the

case is brought to trial. You must now decide how to proceed with the criminal investigation of the

case.

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What would you do?

a. Contact the district attorney’s office and request a formal acceptance of charges against the child’s

mother. You believe that the testimonial evidence provided by the child victim is the best evidence you

Summary A

You decide to contact the district attorney’s office and request a formal acceptance of charges

against the child’s mother. You believe that the testimonial evidence provided by the child victim is

the best evidence you will have in this case and further investigation will prove fruitless. Months

after the formal charging of the perpetrator, the assistant district attorney and the defense attorney

for the perpetrator reach a plea deal, and the mother pleads guilty to a lesser charge of child sexual

To learn more about how the justice system responds to cases of child sexual assault, see

“Physically and Sexually Abused Children” and “Abused Children and Legal Proceedings.”

Summary B

You decide to delay with your request for formal charges and proceed to investigate the case

further. You decide it is best to interview other potential witnesses that may be able to provide

additional corroborating evidence, strengthening the case. You interview the daycare provider that

the child made the initial outcry to as well as neighbors and family acquaintances that frequently

saw the child when he was in his mother’s care. You also interview the child’s pediatrician. The

only information you are able to obtain is from the daycare provider who confirms what the child

initially told her. All other witnesses express that the child never disclosed any information related

to experiencing any abuse and overall seemed well bonded with his mother. This lack of

information and description of the relationship between the child and his mother does not surprise

you. You know from your training and experience that children who are abused by family

IRM 8-22

In these types of situations, it’s essential to balance the need to establish the credibility of the child

victim’s testimony without compounding the child’s suffering or adding to his or her trauma.

To learn more about how the justice system responds to cases of child sexual assault, see

“Physically and Sexually Abused Children” and “Abused Children and Legal Proceedings.”

Chapter 8 Review

1. Which statement reflects the maximalist perspective regarding child maltreatment?

a. Large numbers of children are maltreated each year.

b. Only a small number of children are maltreated each year.

c. Data from the UCR and the NCVS show similar rates of child maltreatment each year.

d. Victimologists agree as to the rate of child physical and sexual abuse that occurs each year.

2. Which was the first useful nationwide data source for information on kidnapped children?

a. National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

b. Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)

c. National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS)

d. the national Amber Alert system

IRM 8-23

3. What was the most common motivation for stranger or slight acquaintance kidnappings of children,

according to a 2011 NISMART-3 study?

a. To keep the child

b. Express rage

c. Gain a ransom

d. Sexual assault

4. The results from a 2011 study of police reports support each of the following statements concerning the

characteristics of a “typical” stranger or slight acquaintance kidnapping EXCEPT __________.

a. the victim is typically a female

b. about one-half of the victims were between the ages of 2 to 7

c. about two-thirds the victim-offender relationships were that of stranger

d. minority victims were overrepresented

5. Which best reflects what actually happened to the majority of children who are reported as missing

each year?

a. Abducted by strangers

b. Taken short-term by a nonfamily member

c. Taken long-term by a family member

d. Ran away or were driven out of their home (throwaways)

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6. Each of the following statements regarding the Amber Alert are true EXCEPT __________.

a. most of the Amber Alerts are for stranger abductions

b. a goal of Amber Alerts is to deter kidnappings by convincing would-be offenders that they would be

quickly apprehended

c. most of the Amber Alerts are for minority children

d. “Amber” stands for “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response”

7. Between 2005 and 2016, what percentage of recoveries of abducted children can be credited to the use

of the Amber Alert system?

a. 2

b. 22

c. 42

d. 72

8. Which statement supports the maximalist position regarding child lures?

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a. Victimization prevention strategies may cause psychological or emotional harm to children.

b. Parents should take advantage of every opportunity to secure their children from strangers.

c. Information and services should be free and made readily available to those searching for their children.

d. Some child safety measures fail to protect children.

9. Which of the following was a negative outcome of the early 1800s House of Refuge movement?

a. Children were removed from abusive and dysfunctional homes.

b. It paved the way for the creation of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 1874.

c. It paved the way for the “child savers” of the early 1900s.

d. Facilities were developed where neglected children, children who had been abused, youthful offenders,

and young vagrants were housed.

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10. Each of the following statements regarding the battered-child syndrome are true EXCEPT

__________.

a. the term was coined by a representative of the criminal justice system

b. the term refers to a clinical condition of non-accidental injuries repeatedly inflicted by parents or

guardians on their children

c. the typical child said to be suffering from the battered child syndrome was less than 3 years of age

d. it set the stage for mandatory reporting legislation for doctors, teachers, and others who come into

contact with youth

11. Which form of child abuse is the most prevalent?

a. Physical abuse

b. Sexual abuse

c. Emotional abuse

d. Neglect

12. Which statement reflects the problem of the intergenerational transmission of child abuse?

a. Abuse can lead to affective disorders like guilt, shame, fear, and low self-esteem.

b. As an adult, they harm their own children in the same ways that they were mistreated.

c. Suicidal ideation and self-mutilations are a potential outcome of sexual assault.

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d. Drug taking, acting out, and repetitively entering in abusive relationships can occur after abuse.

13. All of the following are minimalist responses to the maximalist claim that “1 in 4 children have

experienced neglect or abuse in their lifetime” EXCEPT __________.

a. the definitions for child abuse and neglect are too broad

b. mandatory reporting laws have forced people to report unsubstantiated abuses

c. the public’s increased awareness of childhood abuse and neglect is bad

d. all forms of physical discipline (slaps and spankings) should not automatically qualify as abuse

14. Which of the following will decrease the unfounding rate for child abuse?

a. Concerns about the reputation of innocent people accused of abuse

b. Laws requiring mandatory reporting

c. False and vengeful claims of abuse in order to get a person in trouble

d. Increased media coverage of child abuse

IRM 8-28

their suspicions and the unfounding rate (unsubstantiated or not indicted cases) will decrease. LO5,

Bloom’s: Understand [Physically and Sexually Abused Children]

b. Incorrect. Laws requiring those who work directly with youth (for example, doctors and teachers) to

report to the authorities any suspicions they may have regarding abuse of a child will elevate the

unfounding rate. Part of the motivation to report comes from the possible legal penalties that can be

handed down against the mandatory reporters if they fail to act on their suspicions. LO5, Bloom’s:

Understand [Physically and Sexually Abused Children]

c. Incorrect. It has been estimated that 3 percent of all claims of abuse are deliberate attempts to get

another person in trouble. These claims will increase the unfounding rate. LO5, Bloom’s: Understand

[Physically and Sexually Abused Children]

d. Incorrect. Increased media coverage of a previously taboo subject makes the public more sensitive to

the topic and informs them of reporting options they may not have known about. Thus we can see a

resulting increase in unfounding rates. LO5, Bloom’s: Understand [Physically and Sexually Abused

Children]

15. Which statement accurately reflects the trends for the overall maltreatment rate and fatal maltreatment

rate between the years of 1990 and 2016?

a. Both rates are increasing over this time period.

b. Both rates are decreasing over this time period.

c. While the overall maltreatment rate is increasing, the fatal maltreatment rate is decreasing.

d. While the overall maltreatment rate is decreasing, the fatal maltreatment rate is increasing.

16. Each of the following statements about sexually abused children are true EXCEPT __________.

a. physical force is always present when a child is sexually abused

b. studies report that females are twice as likely to have been a victim of sexual abuse as males

c. children are most likely to be the victim of sexual abuse between the ages of 7 and 13

d. children growing up in poverty are more likely to be sexually abused

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c. Incorrect. Children between 7 and 13 are at highest risk of sexual abuse. Part of their vulnerability can

be seen in the characteristics of their household: there is poor parent-child communication, parents are

unavailable, and there is intense father-mother conflict. LO7, Bloom’s: Understand [Physically and

Sexually Abused Children]

d. Incorrect. As seen with other forms of abuse, violence, and crime, low income homes are plagued with

problems, including higher rates of sexual abuse. LO7, Bloom’s: Understand [Physically and Sexually

Abused Children]

17. What does the “SAID” in the SAID syndrome mean?

a. Sexual allegations in distress

b. Sexual allegations in divorce

c. Sexual abuse in divorce

d. Sexual abuse in daughters

18. Which of the following statements is supportive of the use of repressed memories to charge someone

with sexual assault?

a. Sigmund Freud’s conclusions about repressed memories after he studied women diagnosed with

hysteria

b. The extension of statute of limitations for filing civil lawsuits by victims of incest

c. The decrease in the use of repressed memory in court cases after 1996

d. The use of intervention techniques to create pseudomemories

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19. Each of the following statements regarding the sexual misconduct of religious figures is true EXCEPT

__________.

a. it is more difficult to study sexual misconduct in protestant religions because they are not as centralized

as the Catholic church

b. the sexual misconduct of clergymen peaked in the early 2000s

c. even when multiple claims of sexual abuse were brought against a clergyman in the 1960s and 1970s,

he would remain in his position within the church

d. over three-fourths of those claiming to be a victim of sexual abuse by a clergy of the Catholic church

are males

20. Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding the use of a guardian ad litem (GAL)?

a. The role of the GAL is to look after the best interest of the child.

b. GALs can submit their own recommendations to the court.

c. GALs have to be attorneys.

d. GALS are used primarily in cases when the parent is charged with abuse.

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Victims of Child Abuse Act expanded this requirement to cover when their cases were moved to criminal

court. LO8, Bloom’s: Understand [Abused Children and Legal Proceedings]

21. What is the significance of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990?

a. It supported the 1895 Supreme Court decision in Wheeler v. United States.

b. It required judges to evaluate whether a child understands the difference between the truth and

falsehood.

c. It supported the 1980 Supreme Court decision in Ohio v. Roberts.

d. It established that children are competent witnesses unless there is evidence to the contrary.

22. Although the defendant is extended a number of due process protections through the Sixth

Amendment of the Constitution, child-friendly adjustments that have been utilized in court include all of

the following EXCEPT __________.

a. removal of the defendant from the courtroom while the child victim testifies

b. relaxation of the hearsay rule

c. allowing children to use drawings to describe what happened to them

d. allowing children to testify via closed-circuit television or videotape

23. What is the purpose of the safe haven law?

a. Funds shelters for children to go to when they are abused

b. Gives grants to families with four or more children to help pay for expenses

c. Classifies the courtroom as a “safe place” for children

d. Allows parents to abandon their newborn without penalty

24. What is the most common form of abuse within the family?

a. Spousal abuse

b. Sibling abuse

c. Parents abusing children

d. Children abusing parents

25. All of the following are true concerning the challenges of enforcing statutory rape laws EXCEPT

__________.

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d. different countries utilize different ages of consent