Die identifisering van seksuele molestering by kinders: 'n kruis-kulturele studie

[摘要] English:The identification of child sexual abuse is a challenging task, particularly as erroneousdecisions could have far-reaching implications - not only for the alleged victim, but also forthe accused. The task is especially impeded it there are no concrete indicators such asmedical proof, evidence of an eyewitness, or confession of the perpetrator. Sexually abusedchildren are also not a heterogeneous group. The implication is that the disclosure of sexualabuse could be influenced by a variety of factors. In this regard the most important variablesare the context of abuse (e.g. relationship with the perpetrator, frequency of the offence, andsupport systems), the competencies of the child (e.g. cognitive skills and suggestibility), aswell as the characteristics of the evaluation process itself (e.g. questioning techniques andemotional contexts).These complexities have increasingly compelled forensic evaluators to find methods andtechniques to differentiate between abused and non-abused children. The dilemma, however,is that there is no single existing psychometric instrument that meets these requirements.Psychologists and other forensic evaluators are therefore inclined to use miscellaneousmeasuring instruments and techniques for this task. Mostly these techniques have not beenempirically validated for child sexual abuse assessment. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the suitability of a number of measuringinstruments that are widely used by South African forensic evaluators in the assessment ofsexual abuse. A second goal was to investigate the applicability of these instruments in theSouth African multi-cultural context.The participants were 150 children of whom 83 were abused and 67 non-abused. There were52 white and 31 black children in the abused group, and 41 white and 26 black children inthe non-abused group. The ages varied between 7 and 16 (the average of the abused and nonabusedchildren were 11,6 and 12,02 years respectively.) The children were assessed on both indirect and direct levels. On the indirect level projectivetechniques such as drawing techniques (HTP/DAP) and picture tests (CAT,TAT, RATC andPST-C) were used. On the direct level, techniques to explore touching (anatomical drawingsand anatomical dolls) and a self-report inventory (TSCC) were administered. Collateralinformation was also obtained from the parents (via the CSBI and CBCL, parent form) andteachers (CBCL, teacher form).The results indicate that no single measuring instrument can differentiate between abused andnon-abused children. A multi-dimensional model is proposed to assess the child on variouslevels. This will not only present a total picture of the child, but also facilitate the decisionmakingprocess regarding the status of abuse. More specifically:�?Standardised and structured projective techniques such as the House- Tree-Person/Drawa-person (HTP/DAP) and the Roberts Apperception Test for Children (RATC) presentmore objective measures than, for example, the CAT and TAT.�?The Projective Story Telling Cards (PST-C) could be considered to mainly explorethemes regarding sexuality. However, due to the potential sexual nature of this technique,the results should be interpreted with the necessary caution.�?The use of anatomical drawings and anatomical dolls as techniques to explore touching is also recommended. However, it should be used according to the recommendedprocedure. These drawings and dolls are especially valuable as anatomical models, and asmethods to explore touching. Additionally, the dolls are also suitable as a demonstrationtechnique.�?Self-report inventories such as the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC)could be used to assess sexual trauma, as well as other clinically relevantsymptomatology.�?Behaviour checklists, specifically the Child Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI) and theChild Behavior Checklists (CBCL) (parent and teacher forms), could be used to obtaininformation regarding problems of a sexual nature as well as the child's generalfunctioning.�?Assessment techniques should be used in a specific sequence: From the least threatening(i.e. non-sexual content) to the more threatening (more sexual content) techniques. Thisprocedure does not only put the child at ease, but could also facilitate disclosure.Cl The afore-mentioned techniques should, however, not be administered in a vacuum butshould form an integral part of the interviewing process. It is therefore necessary thatforensic evaluators should not only be trained in the relevant psychometric techniques,but also in the correct forensic interviewing procedure.It seems that especially the TSCC, CSBI and CBCL could be applied in a cross-culturalsetting. The reliability of these techniques also seems to be satisfactory. Regarding theprojective techniques, the PST-C, the HTP/DAP and RATC (and to a lesser degree the CATand TAT) are recommended. The anatomical drawings and dolls appear to be cross-culturallyapplicable. However, it should be taken into account that, although certain responses are more prevalentin abused than non-abused children, they are also present in non-abused children.Furthermore, some sexually abused children are asymptomatic. Concentrating only on certainresponses or problems as indicators of sexual abuse, could lead to either an overinterpretationor under-interpretation of the child's abuse status.

[发布机构] University of the Free State