Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 9(2) 2000 : 41-56

This paper investigates the perceptions of non-offending parents and children of the child sexual abuse investigation process. Fifty-one children and 124 primary caregivers were interviewed. Participants were selected because the children had made disclosures of sexual abuse. The primary purpose of the interviews was to uncover participants' perceptions of the early stages of the investigation process; this involved discovering their attitudes about the social work intervention, early police responses, the evidential video units, medical examinations, access to social services for therapy, and how these services work collaboratively. Findings show that the majority of participants felt positive about the professionals involved; however, they did encounter delays and problems with interagency collaboration, support, control and provision of information. The paper suggests that people's perceptions of the investigation process could be enhanced with time management to minimise delays, interagency collaboration, sensitive interactions and adequate provision of information and support.