Murray Levine

Linguistic and Socioemotional Influences on the Accuracy of Children's Reports

A basic but largely neglected issue in research on the reliability of childrens testimony is the impact of certain questioning tactics (e.g., use of legalese and socioemotional intimidation) on the accuracy of childrens reports. In the present study, 5- to 7-year-old children were interviewed about a standardized play event with free-recall cues and detailed questions that were specific or misleading. Linguistic complexity of questions (complex or simple) and socioemotional context of interview (supportive or intimidating) were varied between subjects. Results indicated that children were significantly less accurate in reporting the event when questioned with complex, developmentally inappropriate questions rather than simple questions, yet children rarely voiced their comprehension failures. In addition, children interviewed by a warm, supportive interviewer were more resistant to misleading questions about the event than were children interviewed in an intimidating manner. Theoretical interpretations and implications for investigative interviewing and policy are discussed.

The Credibility of Children as Witnesses in a Simulated Child Sex Abuse Trial

Child sexual abuse is presently the focus of a great deal of public attention. Although there is no commonly accepted definition (Brant & Tisza, 1977; Kelly, 1984), sexual abuse of children is illegal in all fifty states (Fraser, 1981) and indeed throughout the world (Doek, 1981). All states have mandatory reporting statutes (Meriwether, 1986); however, only thirteen have attempted to define child sexual abuse (Fraser, 1981). In New York State the definition of child sexual abuse hinges on the age of the child as well as the term “sexual contact” (New York State Penal Law, 130.000–130.60). The term “sexual contact” is defined as any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person not married to the actor for the purposes of gratifying the sexual desire of either party. It includes the touching of the actor by the victim as well as the victim by the actor, whether directly or through clothing (New York State Penal Law 130.00).

An analysis of mutual assistance

ConclusionWhy should community psychology be interested in mutual assistance? Mutual assistance organizations represent not an alternative to professional care by an addition to resources in the community of a kind that makes for a more competent community (Iscoe, 1974). Mutual assistance also reflects the values of empowerment that many community psychologists accept as primary (Rappaport, 1981). For those persons who suffer with conditions that may be attributed to oppressive social environments, there is no alternative to collective political and social action to produce change. The developing mutual assistance movement provides an unparalleled opportunity to enhance our understanding of the meaning and significance of social support and the conditions under which people change. Those of us in the field have every reason to embrace this movement for it is truly in keeping with the vision of community psychology.

Reasonable cause: A qualitative study of mandated reporting

Forty-nine volunteers (29 therapists and 20 child protection workers) were interviewed regarding their experiences with mandated reporting. The results indicated widespread disagreement between the groups about the nature of appropriate reports, the requirements of the law, and the process designed to protect children and help families.

Child witnesses and the confrontation clause

InMaryland v. Craig, the United States Supreme Court relied heavily on a brief prepared by a committee of the American Psychology-Law Society on behalf of the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA brief concluded that sexually abused children may be particularly vulnerable to distress in the legal process, especially when forced to confront the defendant face to face, and that such acute distress may be inconsistent with the states interests in promotion of reliable testimony and child welfare. APA also argued that psychological theory and research provide foundations for individualized determination of the need for measures to protect children from face-to-face confrontation. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** AFE06051 00002

The family group conference in the New Zealand children, young persons, and their families act of 1989 (CYP&F): review and evaluation.

The family group conference is an innovation introduced into New Zealand law as a means of resolving child protection and youth justice cases. The law requires the conference to include the offender, the victim, the extended family, and other relevant parties. This article reviews New Zealand research and commentary, and publications reporting on experiences with the methods in other countries. The discussion emphasizes problems in adapting a method based on one culture to a different culture and social organization. The article also considers the law from the viewpoint of therapeutic jurisprudence. Although the research is sparse, the FGC has strong promise for resolving problems, enhancing the sense of community and participation, and empowering families.

Mental health professionals' experiences reporting suspected child abuse and maltreatment.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to provide systematic data on the experiences of mental health professionals (e.g., psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers) who reported cases of suspected child abuse and maltreatment concerning their clients. METHOD Mail surveys were completed by 258 mental health professionals known to have reported a case of suspected child abuse and maltreatment to the New York State Central Register (NYSCR) in 1993. Subjects were asked to complete a survey describing their experience with making reports, referring to a specific case they reported. RESULTS About 40% did not inform the client about the limits of confidentiality until reportable material came up. Most clinicians reported that informing clients about the limits of confidentiality did not deter them from entering treatment. Many clinicians learned about abuse/maltreatment after approximately 3 months into therapy. Even very experienced clinicians usually consulted with others before making the report. Clinicians most typically informed the client about the report directly and before it was made, but did not call the NYSCR in the presence of the client. Following the report, most clinicians performed additional activities such as calling clients and scheduling additional sessions. When clients evidenced resistance to continuing therapy, it usually dissipated after a brief period of time. In over 72% of the cases, making the report did not disrupt the relationship and in many instances it was helpful in the therapeutic process; about 27% were continuously resistant or terminated therapy shortly after the report was made. CONCLUSIONS Implications for practice, training, program development, and research are discussed.

Evaluating risk assessment implementation in child protection: issues for consideration.

The use of systematic risk assessment models by Child Protective Services is a rapidly growing phenomenon. Despite their popularity, we know little about the effect of implementation on casework practice. This article examines some issues that agencies might consider when evaluating the impact of risk assessment implementation on service delivery. The authors recommend an approach that includes the use of qualitative and quantitative measures in a process and an outcome evaluation to determine the degree to which the model has been implemented as intended and the impact of implementation on the case work process. Though this approach is likely to provide agencies with detailed information of the impact of risk assessment implementation, caution is recommended when interpreting the results from an evaluation of a risk assessment model in a field setting.

African-American families and child protection

Abstract Two hundred and seventy African-American and Caucasian families referred to child protection for alleged maltreatment were compared to assess the degree to which they were differentially referred to and processed by child protection. Results indicated that, although African-Americans were referred to child protection by different sources than Caucasian families, reporter bias was unlikely to account for the differences. Those African-American families referred to child protection were more likely to come from female headed households and presumed to be poorer as a result. However, once reported, they were neither substantiated at a higher rate nor kept open for services at a higher rate compared to Caucasian families. Finally, there was very little evidence of differential caseworker attention to African-Americans compared with Caucasian families. The study concluded that differential referral source and/or differential worker attention were inadequate explanations for the over-representation of African-Americans in the child protection system.

Empirical Research on Child Maltreatment and the Law

Reviews empirical research on laws related to child protection. These laws have been based on psychological assumptions about child development, family life, and the effects of government action in such domains. In two specific areas, research about such assumptions has burgeoned: the quality of childrens testimony and the factors affecting reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect. However, even in those areas research has been circumscribed. Relatively little research has been done to examine the effects (especially effects other than psychological adjustment) of the legal process (especially the events outside the courtroom) on children, and little is known about the effects of child abuse reporting on service delivery. There also is remarkably little research on the functioning of the child protection system itself. Researchers need to give attention to construction of a legal infrastructure for research itself, to encourage generation of knowledge relevant to child protection policy. Researcher...