TY  - SER
AU  - Hamlin, Philip
AU  - Nation,Gerald
TI  - Expert evidence in sexual abuse cases
U1  - 345.067 
PY  - 1997///
CY  - Wellington, New Zealand
PB  - New Zealand Law Society
KW  - FVC
KW  - CHILDREN
KW  - JUSTICE
KW  - LEGISLATION
KW  - MENTAL HEALTH
KW  - OFFENDERS
KW  - VICTIMS
KW  - SEXUAL VIOLENCE
N1  - nz
N2  - This paper, presented at the New Zealand Law Society Seminar, October 1997, was written to assist lawyers with difficult sexual abuse cases, for example, cases where the complainant and the defendant are both convincing. It aims to provide information for lawyers who are investigating the legitimacy of a complainant's allegations against the complainant's memory of events. The authors explore the provision of evidence in relation to medical and psychological evidence, s23(g) of the Evidence Act (1908), and memory in relation to expert opinion. Prosecution and defence perspectives and expert knowledge, that may be beneficial to both parties, are presented. Also covered is information for the practical application of this knowledge to assist in the proving of allegations. The authors suggest that future trends in the area of expert evidence in sexual abuse cases are likely to see reforms in the areas of admissibility and disclosure. The defence perspectives summary suggests that a greater use of expert evidence for the defence is unlikely because of the constraints of the legal aid system and the self-interest of experts who work in this field
ER  -