Legal Decision-Making in Child Sexual Abuse Investigations: Factors That Influence Prosecution

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dc.contributor.advisorCheung, Monit
dc.contributor.committeeMemberParrish, Danielle E.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberSampson, McClain M.
dc.creatorDuron, Jacquelynn
dc.date.accessioned2018-03-02T21:45:13Z
dc.date.available2018-03-02T21:45:13Z
dc.date.createdMay 2014
dc.date.issued2014-05
dc.date.submittedMay 2014
dc.date.updated2018-03-02T21:45:13Z
dc.description.abstractThis mixed-method, multiphase study explored factors associated with child sexual abuse cases that are accepted for prosecution. Prosecution of child sexual abuse is the most consequential approach communities have for addressing perpetrators, yet as many as 72% of perpetrators evade prosecution despite evidence of the crime (Cross, Walsh, Simone, & Jones, 2003). In order to explore the decision to prosecute, quantitative and qualitative data were sequentially integrated across three phases of study. This research incorporated prosecutor perceptions surrounding influential factors to analyze 100 child sexual abuse case records and forensic interviews for children who provided a disclosure through a Children’s Advocacy Center. This exploration concluded with prosecutor reviews of 10 prosecuted cases. Analytic methods included logistic regression modeling to determine predictive factors associated with a decision to prosecute and framework analysis to further confirm and expand upon the factors found to influence prosecution. Findings across all phases of study indicate that prosecution is most strongly predicted by caregiver support, the availability of other evidence, and family engagement in services. Additionally, emergent themes indicate that the decision to prosecute requires an ongoing evaluation of the evidence and a balanced approach. These findings present opportunities for multidisciplinary teams of professionals to provide assistance to families who are likely to interface with legal proceedings. Findings support prosecution of sexual abuse when appropriate as one component in a system wide approach to child sexual abuse prevention.
dc.description.departmentSocial Work, Graduate College of
dc.format.digitalOriginborn digital
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10657/2791
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).
dc.subjectChild sexual abuse
dc.subjectChildren's Advocacy Center
dc.subjectProsecution
dc.subjectForensic interview
dc.subjectForensic sciences
dc.subjectMixed-method
dc.titleLegal Decision-Making in Child Sexual Abuse Investigations: Factors That Influence Prosecution
dc.type.dcmiText
dc.type.genreThesis
thesis.degree.collegeGraduate College of Social Work
thesis.degree.departmentSocial Work, Graduate College of
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Work
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Houston
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy

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