The Credibility of Children as Witnesses in a Simulated Child Sex Abuse Trial

Abstract

Child sexual abuse is presently the focus of a great deal of public attention. Although there is no commonly accepted definition (Brant & Tisza, 1977; Kelly, 1984), sexual abuse of children is illegal in all fifty states (Fraser, 1981) and indeed throughout the world (Doek, 1981). All states have mandatory reporting statutes (Meriwether, 1986); however, only thirteen have attempted to define child sexual abuse (Fraser, 1981). In New York State the definition of child sexual abuse hinges on the age of the child as well as the term “sexual contact” (New York State Penal Law, 130.000–130.60). The term “sexual contact” is defined as any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person not married to the actor for the purposes of gratifying the sexual desire of either party. It includes the touching of the actor by the victim as well as the victim by the actor, whether directly or through clothing (New York State Penal Law 130.00).