Child sexual abuse on trial (Record no. 2655)

MARC details
000 -LEADER
fixed length control field 04327nam a2200337Ia 4500
001 - CONTROL NUMBER
control field 114946
003 - CONTROL NUMBER IDENTIFIER
control field FVC
005 - DATE AND TIME OF LATEST TRANSACTION
control field 20250625151220.0
008 - FIXED-LENGTH DATA ELEMENTS--GENERAL INFORMATION
fixed length control field 110331s2007 eng
040 ## - CATALOGING SOURCE
Original cataloging agency WSS
Modifying agency AFV
100 ## - MAIN ENTRY--PERSONAL NAME
Personal name Blackwell, Suzanne
9 (RLIN) 796
245 ## - TITLE STATEMENT
Title Child sexual abuse on trial
Statement of responsibility, etc Blackwell, Suzanne
246 ## - VARYING FORM OF TITLE
Remainder of title A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at the University of Auckland, 2007
260 ## - PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC. (IMPRINT)
Date of publication, distribution, etc 2007
300 ## - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Extent xvii, 408 p.
365 ## - TRADE PRICE
Price type code 00
Price amount 0
520 ## - SUMMARY, ETC.
Summary, etc This doctoral thesis examines aspects of the child sexual assault jury trial, in particular, the provision for the use of expert psychological evidence to educate and assist jurors, and jurors' knowledge and/or common misconceptions that are exploited in the conduct of a trial. In the first part of the thesis the use of expert psychological evidence is examined utilising analysis of Court of Appeal decisions, retrospective analysis of child sexual assault files and a survey of crown prosecutors' past and intended use of the relevant provisions. Results show expert psychological evidence has fallen into disuse. Court of Appeal decisions previously ordering retrials predominantly on the basis that experts have given evidence that has addressed the credibility of the child complainant, this being the "ultimate issue" the determination of which is solely for the jury. Prosecutors generally expressed no intention to lead expert psychological evidence in the near future. In the second part of the thesis the issue of adequate juror knowledge and/or exploitation of common misconceptions are examined. Empanelled jurors from 23 criminal trials were interviewed post trial, including 60 who had served on trials involving charges of child sexual assault and a control group of 60 who served on trials not involving sexual offences or child complainants. Results indicated that some jurors had accurate knowledge, others subscribed to common misconceptions and others expressed a lack of knowledge. Participating in a child sexual assault trial was associated with more accurate knowledge on questionnaire scores but not in relation to other interview data. Also associated with greater accurate knowledge was being female, younger than 40 years, having a tertiary qualification and personal knowledge of a victim of child sexual abuse. In addition, jurors' responses to the use of court technology (CCTV, EVI) used in child sexual assault trials, and in relation to utility and credibility of expert witness testimony, were examined. Consistent with international literature, juror participants found the use of technology enhanced their understanding of the evidence, and such use was considered "fair" to the complainant and not prejudicial to the defendant. Most jurors from sexual assault trials indicated that they would have been assisted by expert psychological evidence. Analysis of trail data suggested that the conviction rate was low (33%) and that defence counsel most commonly utilised common misconceptions about child sexual abuse to discredit complainants' testimony, and frequently used leading, misleading, confusing and age inappropriate questions during cross examination of child complainants. Judges' rate of intervention during such questioning was low. There appeared to be nine variables that were associated with trial outcomes. Data suggested that the presence of three or more of these might be associated with conviction on at least one sexual offence charge per trial. This was confirmed in a final study of 137 child sexual assault cases. The study also confirmed the findings of the previous study in relation to whether the adversarial system of law is both appropriate and ethical in relation to the disposition of charges of sexual offences against children.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT
522 ## - GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE NOTE
Geographic coverage note nz
650 27 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Source of heading or term FVC
Topical term or geographic name as entry element ADOLESCENTS
9 (RLIN) 43
650 27 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Source of heading or term FVC
Topical term or geographic name as entry element CHILDREN
9 (RLIN) 127
650 27 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Source of heading or term FVC
Topical term or geographic name as entry element COURTS
9 (RLIN) 162
650 27 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Source of heading or term FVC
Topical term or geographic name as entry element CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
9 (RLIN) 174
650 27 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Topical term or geographic name as entry element EVIDENCE
9 (RLIN) 237
650 27 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Topical term or geographic name as entry element JUSTICE
9 (RLIN) 333
650 24 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Topical term or geographic name as entry element VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
9 (RLIN) 624
651 #4 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--GEOGRAPHIC NAME
Geographic name NEW ZEALAND
9 (RLIN) 2588
650 27 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
9 (RLIN) 336
Topical term or geographic name as entry element LAW
650 24 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Topical term or geographic name as entry element SEXUAL VIOLENCE
9 (RLIN) 531
650 27 - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
9 (RLIN) 121
Topical term or geographic name as entry element CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Source of heading or term FVC
942 ## - ADDED ENTRY ELEMENTS (KOHA)
Source of classification or shelving scheme Dewey Decimal Classification
Koha item type Thesis / dissertation

No items available.