This article provides the story--from the outside and the inside with a before and after--of an award-winning school psychologist, Rosario Pesce, who faced a professional dilemma midway in his career that led to litigation that went all the way to the federal Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The article consists of (1) the facts of the case,…

Determining whether a child was sexually abused is a tremendous clinical and legal challenge. In litigation, abuse is established--proven--with evidence. Evidence includes testimony from witnesses, hearsay statements, documents, and physical evidence such as semen, genital injury, and fingerprints. There are two types of witnesses: lay witnesses…

Discusses two questions raised by sexually abused children's involvement in the legal system: competency to testify; and procedural and evidentiary reforms to protect child witnesses. Reviews relevant psychological research. Recommends that children be permitted to testify without prior qualification. (Author/BH)

Discusses child sex abuse cases from a prosecutor's view with particular emphasis on the Little Rascals Day Care Center case (Edenton, NC). The author addresses issues that can lead to a successful prosecution, such as pretrial preparation and having witnesses approach the jury with clear, concise statements. (JPS)

Discusses reasons that the Little Rascals Day Care Center case (Edenton, NC) was successfully prosecuted, including picking witnesses to testify according to their verbal ability, challenging the judge's decision to try the defendants together, and keeping victims' parents informed. One prosecutor developed a "court school" to familiarize child…

Discusses potential reasons for successful prosecutions in the Little Rascals Day Care Center case (Edenton, NC), most notably how little time elapsed between the testimony of the children and the decision of the jury. Other cases around the country have not been successfully prosecuted, perhaps because of the victim testimony timing. (JPS)

Comments on the research reported by Goodman and others in this monograph. Maintains that society is justified in asking children to testify. Modifications of traditional methods of testifying in cases involving testimony by children are warranted. A unified family court system would reduce the psychological trauma of children. (BC)

Examines the Little Rascals Day Care Center case (Edenton, NC) from the viewpoint of a therapist who worked with some of the children involved. The role of therapist is a difficult one in these cases as the definition of a therapist is stretched to include that of evidence-gatherer, and patient confidentiality is compromised. (JPS)

The medical director of a child protection center reflects on the unique problems of the therapist involved in court litigation and how these cases have changed the definition of the role. Therapists need to work with others involved in the case to minimize the harmful effects of such cases. (JPS)

Comments on some of the philosophical and moral problems inherent in prosecuting a child sexual abuse case. This particular case was complicated by the multiple victims and multiple perpetrators. Both medical and psychological clinical expert witnesses need to be aware of and respectful of the ground rules of the courtroom. (JPS)

The Little Rascals Day Care Center case is examined from a judge's perspective, with particular attention to docketing concerns for child sex abuse cases, the use of interdisciplinary teams, the "court school" approach, and issues related to ensuring the defendants are receiving their constitutional right to a speedy trial. (JPS)

The director of a child abuse service reflects on her experience with child abuse investigators in the early 1980s. She reflects on the lessons learned from dealing with people involved in the litigation process, and from problems encountered in dealing with the complex issues that arise. (JPS)

This commentary discusses results and implications of the research reported by Goodman and others in this monograph. Topics include (1) long-term effects of testimony on children's adjustment; (2) witnesses' perceptions of justice in the legal system; and (3) the need for special procedures in child abuse cases. (BC)

The Canadian Supreme Court in "Young v. Bella" has approved the award of C$840K to Ms Young against the Memorial University of Newfoundland and also two of its academics. In this article, the author comments on the "Young v. Bella" case. Ms Young was a distance-learning student studying social work and hoped to get on a professional course and so…

A district attorney of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, argues that prosecution is the most effective and appropriate response to child abuse cases. Two basic premises are advanced. First, anyone who physically abuses, sexually assaults, or rapes a child has committed a serious crime, regardless of the relationship of the victim to the offender.…