Predictors of Behavioral and Psychological Functioning and Improvement Patterns in Sexually Abused Children: The Role of the Criminal Justice System
by
Danielle M. LeBlanc
Brandeis University
Coauthors: Theodore P. Cross

The aim of this study was to determine predictors of psychological improvement in child sexual abuse victims 18 months following intervention, following up on the study conducted by Runyan et al. (1988). Trimmed hierarchical multiple regression models were used. Legal components (whether or not the case was involved in juvenile court, whether or not criminal charges were brought against the perpetrator, and court duration) were examined as predictors of child functioning, along with demographic and abuse characteristics. Both initial and 5-month follow-up behavioral and psychological functioning scores were controlled. Results indicate that children involved in cases in which the perpetrator was charged in criminal court showed more improvement than their peers, while children involved in cases in juvenile court showed less improvement. Children showed more disordered functioning when the court case was ongoing, but court duration was itself unrelated to behavior and psychological problems. These results suggest that contrary to popular belief, criminal justice intervention may not add further trauma to the abuse situation for children.

Date received: August 29, 2003