Predictors of Prosecutorial Decisions in Reports of Child Sexual Abuse. (August 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Block, Stephanie D.; Johnson, Hannah M.; Williams, Linda M.; Shockley, Kristy L.; Wang, Eric; Widaman, Keith F.
• Other Names: Cross Theodore P. guest-editor.; Block Stephanie D. guest-editor.; Vandervort Frank E. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Child maltreatment. Volume 28:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 488
• Page End: 499
• Publication Date: 2023-08
• Subjects: child sexual abuse -- legal aspects -- criminal justice -- child victims; Child abuse -- Periodicals; Abused children -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1177/10775595221074375
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-5595

Abstract

A retrospective examination of 500 child sexual abuse reports to prosecutor's offices analyzed case progress and predictors of attrition, including details about alleged perpetrator(s), victim(s), their families, and other case characteristics. Less than one in five cases proceeded to prosecution. For the full sample, we describe all outcomes and differentiate prosecutors' decisions to (a) intake/close, (b) investigate/close, or (c) prosecute; these stages comprise a 3-level dependent variable. Because it is important to understand which variables are associated with progress to each stage, we examined unique predictors of the decision to "investigate, " and to "prosecute." Our multivariate analyses examine 325 cases with a perpetrator aged 16 and older. Caregiver support and perpetrator age were significant predictors across all outcome variables, while other factors were barriers to the "prosecute" decision only . Results highlight the complexities of case characteristics that are important at different stages of prosecutorial decision-making and inform future interventions.