Citation

Nierop N, van den Eshof P, Brandt C. Psychiatry Psychol. Law. 2021; 28(6): 841-853.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Law, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13218719.2021.1873203

PMID

35694651

PMCID

PMC9176321

Abstract

Equivocal sexual abuse allegations are those in which the details of the alleged offence(s) are uncertain. The circumstances are ambiguous, there is limited evidence, and it is unclear how police investigations should proceed. This article discusses the challenges such allegations pose for police, prosecution, judges and mental health experts, and advocates for the use of multidisciplinary expert opinion during the investigation. The practical application of this approach by the Netherlands Expert Committee for Equivocal Sexual Abuse Allegations (LEBZ) is described, which has assessed over 900 cases since its inception in 1999. The LEBZ approach represents a significant innovation in police and criminal justice responses to equivocal allegations of sexual assault, which warrants consideration in other jurisdictions.

Language: en

Keywords

expert testimony; investigative psychology; multidisciplinary approach; sexual abuse allegations