Citation

Terrell HB, Terrell BE, Capozzi A, Papadakis VN, Papadakis HN, Sullivan K, Hodges M, Howsepian AA, Donovan T, Kraus K, Fox D. Am. J. Forensic Psychiatr. 2008; 29(3): 5-23.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American College of Forensic Psychiatry, Publisher R. Shlensky)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Child molestation is a pervasive crime. It typically has lifelong detri mental effects upon the child victim. Allegations of child molestation can also have lifelong effects upon the accused, regardless of whether or not they committed the crime. In this information age, children, parents, school offi cials, health care professionals and law enforcement officials are more aware of the crime and more inclined to promptly address it when such alle gations are made. By the same token, many people are aware that even the mere accusation of child molestation can immediately halt a child custody dispute, turn it to the advantage of the accusing parent and in the process potentially destroy the life, reputation and career of the accused, regardless of any culpability. This article outlines the Sexual Abuse Indicators (SAI) that arose from a multidisciplinary panel study of mental health profession als, legal experts and other professionals who combined have had over two centuries of experience in dealing with sexual offenders and their child vic tims. The SAI is offered as a new instrument intended to aid the forensic evaluator and other related professionals in delineating the most essential signs, symptoms and findings for assessing genuine versus false allegations of child molestation. Copyright 2008 American Journal of Forensic Psychiatry.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; sexual abuse; child abuse; prison; depression; parent; review; rating scale; law suit; custody; physical examination; rape; sexual crime; law enforcement; psychometry; court; health care personnel; pedophilia; legal evidence; administrative personnel; legal procedure