Citation

Halsted S, Elder D. N. Zeal. Med. J. 2001; 114(1125): 33-35.

Affiliation

Department of Paediatrics, Wellington School of Medicine, Otago University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, New Zealand Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11277473

Abstract

AIMS: To determine the duration of the statutory investigation process after referral of alleged chid sexual abuse and to assess which components of this process are most prone to delay. METHODS: Retrospective review of police, Child Youth and Family (CYF) and medical records for 123 young persons <17 years old for whom a referral regarding alleged sexual abuse was made to the Wellington Serious Abuse Team from January 1995 to December 1996. RESULTS: There were 82 (66.7%) females and 41 (33.3%) males referred. Maori and Pacific Island children were over-represented in the sample. The median time from referral to evidential interview or diagnostic interview was 47 days. This period was longer for children <5 years of age (66 days) compared with children > or =5 years of age (45.5 days), although this difference was not statistically significant. Although 53.3% of children alleged genital contact, only 26% were referred for a medical assessment. The time from initiation of investigation to completion was a median of 141 days. Reasons for delay were difficult to delineate but appeared to relate to inadequate staffing. CONCLUSIONS: There is an unreasonable delay in the investigation of alleged child sexual abuse. This is particularly concerning in younger children.

Language: en