Learning from Child Complainants of Sexual Abuse and Their Primary Carers: Implications for Policy and Practice

Emma Davies, Fred W. Seymour

This paper is based on a three-year research project on child sexual abuse investigation and criminal investigation procedures in the Auckland region. The research involved interviewing child complainants and their primary carers on their perceptions of the professionals involved once a child alleges sexual abuse.

These professionals include Children, Young Persons and Families Agency (CYPFA) social workers, police officers, paediatricians, lawyers and other agents of the criminal court. Interviews were also conducted with social workers and police officers.

The key issues that emerged concerned long delays in the process, poor inter-agency communication (causing gaps in service provision) and lack of support. The research also raised important issues about how children are questioned when they give evidence, with many child witnesses reporting they did not understand the questions asked of them.

We make suggestions for improving the child sexual abuse investigation and court process, including trialling the American concept of one-stop-shop child advocacy centres, and the use of an intermediary in Court questioning, which is allowed for under existing legislation.