The Sexual Exploitation of Children

Intended for investigators, attorneys, clinicians, court evaluators, medical practitioners, and anyone who is involved in the litigation of child sexual abuse, this book focuses on proven field-tested methods gathered from law enforcement and clinical practitioners throughout the country. This definitive handbook guides anyone who needs to investigate or assess child sexual abuse allegations through the essential steps of inquiry. Hundreds of examples in the form of case studies, charts, outlines, checklists, photographs, and illustrations demonstrate the whats, hows and whys of an effective investigation. The book demonstrates what the police investigator needs to do to determine if abuse has occurred and what to provide the prosecution, if it is found. The same concerns can be applied to what information the courts will need to assess allegations in non-criminal matters. This information is critical for any practitioner to know who is involved in the assessment, intervention, and case development of an allegation of sexual abuse. The book stresses: a change is needed in the manner in which child molestation is investigated; multidisciplinary response to assessment of allegations; proper investigative practices in interviewing; the importance of evidence gathering and significance of what is found; recognition of the underground of pedophiles and its special investigative problems; the necessity for tight case management; and much more.