H w...” .W i'.~;>., IA.‘I‘»|!~ nu n Ml ICHIGAN STAT TEU I II III IIIIIIII IIIIIIIIII IIIIIII II 00910 8576 II This is to certify that the thesis entitled AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICERS AS CRISIS INTERVENERS AND SYSTEMS RESPONDERS IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES presented by Mary B . Egner has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for Master QLSQienchegree in _C:iminaL.Iustice Major professor David L. Carter Date December 18, 1990 0-7639 MS U is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution II LIBRARY Mlchlgan State I University PLACE IN RETURN BOX to remove this checkout from your record. TO AVOID FINES return on or betore date due. DATE DUE“1_.DATE DUE DATE DUE I :I i f “II—*— MSU Is An Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Institution cMmea-DJ AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICERS AS CRISIS INTERVENERS AND SYSTEMS RESPONDERS IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES 131/ Mary B. Egner A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE School of Criminal Justice College of Social Science 1990 l t -5 4 ABSTRACT AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICERS AS CRISIS INTERVENERS AND SYSTEMS RESPONDERS IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES BY Mary B. Egner The purpose of this study was to address the following issues: What are Michigan police officers doing in their role as crisis interveners when interacting with child sexual abuse victims, and how do the police officers work with other system responders to keep stress to child victims at a minimum to prevent further victimization? The data were derived from self-administered questionnaires mailed to all Michigan sheriffs (N=83, usable response rate = 64%); all Michigan State Police Post or Team Commanders (N=68; usable response rate = 93%); and 100 systematically selected municipal police chiefs (N=100; usable response rate = 53%). All questions addressed in this study were of a forced- choice nature, and the responses were subjected to frequency analyses. The findings show over one-half (61%) of all respondents indicated counseling service providers were always made known to parents of child sexual abuse victims by their officers. Overall, the sheriffs departments and Michigan State Police had a higher incidence of positive responses relating to interagency issues than did the municipal police departments. Copyright by MARY BETH EGNER 1991 This work is dedicated to children who report their sexual abuse and to the police officers who respond to them ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my appreciation to the following individuals for contributing to my education: To Dr. David Carter, thesis committee chairman, whose patience, focus, and "Get that sucker done" philosophy helped to center me. Dr. Carter and my other committee members, Dr. Ken Christian and Dr. John Herrick, not only contributed their time, but enhanced this research by drawing upon their professional field experience. I am grateful for their input so that this research has practical application in addition to fulfilling academic requirements. I am also indebted to the Michigan Department of Social Services for their commitment to child sexual abuse research and for contracting with my employer, the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service (Project LINK), to conduct a multidisciplinary survey throughout the state of Michigan. The points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policy of the Michigan Department of Social Services. I also wish to acknowledge and thank the following women who have served as role models and/or mentors to me: ii My mother, who was an early working mother Rose Marie, the actress, who in her role on the Dick VanDyke Show was a successful career woman in a male-dominated field Ms. Terry Nafisi, Deputy Circuit Executive, 9th Circuit Judicial Council, San Francisco, California; and Teresa Plachetka, Campaign Manager, Stabenow for State Senate Campaign, who have the qualities I admire and seek in a manager . Penny Harrington, former Chief of Police, Portland Police Department; Portland, Oregon Patricia Cuza, Director, Office of Criminal Justice; Lansing, Michigan Hon. Dorothy Comstock Riley, Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court . Hon. Carolyn Stell, Circuit Judge, 30th Circuit Court; Lansing, Michigan Marilyn Ball, State Court Administrator, Michigan Supreme Court, State Court Administrative Office; Lansing, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, State Senate, District 24; Lansing, Michigan And a special thanks to three of my best friends: Guy Gordon whose candor I appreciate and whose humor, warmth, and company I treasure; Valerie Martin who named her cat "Thesis” as subliminal encouragement for me to finish mine; and Mary Ellen Schertzing for the memories we share and the grins they bring. I also wish to recognize finally and especially Katey Peacock who, when she was 4, taught me adult lessons in a child's voice. Somehow when you say it, it all makes sense. Thank you all. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES vi LIST OF FIGURES vii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH 1 The Problem Statement of Purpose Need for the Study Limitations of the Study Definition of Terms Overview of the Study CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 7 Introduction Interagency Coordination vs. Fragmented Systems Delivery Role As Crisis Responder Value of Interagency Coordination The Multidisciplinary Team Cross-Reporting Reducing Number of Victim Interviews Video Taping Cross-Training Police Officers As Crisis Interveners Referral Resource Telling Children "It's Not Their Fault" Conclusion CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 29 Research Sample Survey Design Mailings Sheriffs Departments Michigan State Police Municipal Police Departments General Information Regarding the Mailings iv Page (numerator-r 29 30 31 32 32 33 Response Rates Sheriffs Michigan State Police Municipal Police Departments CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS 36 Police Officers As Crisis Interveners Law Enforcement as Part of a Systems Response to Child Sexual Abuse CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 61 Training Reducing the Number of Victim Interviews Recommendations for Further Research APPENDICES Appendix A Law Enforcement Survey Appendix B Researcher's Cover Letter Appendix C Followup Letter BIBLIOGRAPHY Page 33 33 34 34 36 44 62 64 68 70 80 82 83 TABLE 4.1 4.2 4.7 4.8 4.9 LIST OF TABLES Law Enforcement Investigators Telling Child Sexual Abuse Victim That Other Children Have Been Sexually Abused Law Enforcement Investigators Telling Child Sexual Abuse Victims That the Children Are Not Responsible for Their Sexual Victimization Law Enforcement Investigators Making Counseling Service Providers Known to Parents of Child Sexual Abuse Victims Additional Training About Crisis Intervention As a Way to Improve Respondents' Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse Law Enforcement Investigators Receiving Training in Crisis Intervention Child Protective Services' Notification to Law Enforcement Agency Within 24 Hours of Receiving Report of Suspected Child Sexual Abuse Cross-Notification When Alleged Perpetrator Is Person Responsible for Child's Health 0: Welfare Team Interviews by the Police and CPS Agencies Contacted by Law Enforcement in Child Sexual Abuse Cases Ways to Improve Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse Cases Incidence of Positive Responses for Five Variables Pertaining to Interagency Issues vi PAGE 38 40 41 42 43 46 47 48 51 55 58 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE 4.1 Five Most Commonly Identified Ways 56 to Improve Law Enforcement's Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse vii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH Martian Child sexual abuse is a significant problem in our society. Today only a fraction of known cases are brought to the attention of the criminal justice system or the human services system. Once a case does become known to "the system," however, practitioners and academics alike warn that sexually abused children run the risk of being revictimized--this time by the very systems intended to protect them (predominantly the criminal justice system and the human services system). Law enforcement is most frequently the first "system responder" (the first responder in what may be a multiple agency, multiple systems response) to reports of child sexual abuse. Police officers in many cases set the criminal justice system and human services system in motion. The interaction between child victims and police officers represents not only an interpersonal interaction, but a systemic interaction as well. In any investigation of child sexual abuse, the best interests of the child should prevail (Mollingsworth, 1986; Libai, 1969). When a case warrants a response from two or more agencies, a coordinated, interagency team response is in the child's best interests to keep the number of 1 2 interviews and the stress upon the child to a minimum. Team interviewing by police officers and Child Protective Services workers does not in and of itself constitute a coordinated, interagency team response when additional agencies are involved. The criminal justice and human services agencies must work together as a team rather than as separate entities to address the best interests of the child. Turf issues and resistance to change are contributing reasons a coordinated team response to child sexual abuse is the exception rather than the rule. 313W Once an allegation of child sexual abuse becomes known to the police, it is possible that several other agencies will become involved. To illustrate the multidisciplinary nature of a multiple systems response, consider the following nonéinclusive list of potential responders: law enforcement, child protective services, the prosecutor's office, public or private mental health providers, probate court, district court, circuit court, hospitals, public health departments, schools, and day care and foster care licensing. In each agency representative's commitment to meet the mandate or mission of his or her agency, the best interest of the child can easily get lost or pushed aside. Law enforcement is no exception to this phenomenon. This study was developed as a first step to assess the multidisciplinary response to a multidisciplinary problem-— child sexual abuse. More specifically, the study examines how law enforcement officers in Michigan work with other system responders to keep stress to child victims and their families at a minimum to prevent them from being victimized by a fragmented systems response. W As noted above, law enforcement is often the first responder in what may potentially be a multi-agency response to a report of child sexual abuse. On the other hand, if law enforcement fails to acquire enough evidence to substantiate the allegations, they may be the only systems responder with whom children and their families interact. When law enforcement is the only agency responding, it is especially critical the children's best interests are addressed. Sexual abuse can have harmful psychological effects, both short-term and long-term, upon children. The manner in which parents, relatives, and professionals respond to the children can help to prevent more severe psychological reactions from occurring. For this reason, police officers play a crucial role in influencing how children will internalize the abuse incident itself and the ramifications of disclosure. Police officers are not trained as therapists, nor should they be. In their roles as investigator and crisis responder, they must ensure that children are not traumatized further due to a police officer's insensitive interaction. 321,police officers interact with children and 4 their families is an important component of keeping stress to child sexual abuse victims at a minimum. Another factor to consider is the number of times a child must be interviewed. The stress upon children due to a fragmented systems response can be greatly reduced by an interagency team response to cases of child sexual abuse. 5 he tu This study was exploratory in nature, intended specifically to identify issues. As a result, no meaningful relationships could be made. A further limitation of this study (a self-administered questionnaire) is that the respondents were asked to generalize about ”child sexual abuse" cases. The relationship of the offender to the child can have a significant impact on the way a case is handled. Children also differ in their response to sexual victimization, and police officers differ among themselves in their interactions with child victims. The author acknowledges these differences and points out that there are also similarities in interacting with the victimized children, their families, and other system responders; and from these similarities generalizations can be made. The respondents were asked to generalize about complex dynamics as though each case were the same. Many respondents chose to point out their difficulty in 5 generalizing about child sexual abuse cases by indicating, "It depends on the case." The limitations posed by a forced-choice survey leave little room for explanations posed by exceptional cases of child sexual abuse. The respondents had to generalize about child sexual abuse cases in order to respond to the survey questions. Because of the number of variables affecting case handling, a narrative survey would have proven unwieldy both for the respondents and the researcher. We. The following is a list of definitions provided to the respondents. It represents the variables which were measured in this study: Investigator: The initial responding law enforcement officer or any other officer to whom the case has been referred. Person NOT Responsible: Any person who is NOT responsible for the child's health or welfare. Person Responsible: Anyone who is responsible for the child's health or welfare. Protective Services: The county office of the Michigan Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services Unit. Sexual Abuse: Engaging in sexual contact or sexual penetration as defined by the following: ”Sexual contact” includes the intentional touching of the vicim's intimate parts or the intentional touching of the clothing covering the immediate area of the victim's intimate parts, if that intentional touching can reasonably be construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. ”Sexual penetration” means sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anal intercourse, or any other intrusion, however slight, of any part of a person's body or of any 6 object into the genital or anal openings of another person's body, but emission of semen is not required (MCLA 750.520A). Within the text of this report the following terms are used interchangeably: "investigator," "police officer," and "law enforcement representative." The terms "child sexual abuse victim," "child victim," and "child" denote a child who is involved, or says he or she is involved, in a sexual offense (Libai, 1969). W An overview of the literature addressing how law enforcement as one component of a systems response, can keep systemic-induced stress upon child victims at a minimum is presented in Chapter 2. The literature review also examines how the interaction of child sexual victims with investigators can be both a positive and therapeutic experience for the' children. The survey sample and the design and methodology of the study are described in Chapter 3. The results of the study are presented in Chapter 4, and the summary and conclusions are contained in Chapter 5. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW INTRODUCTION When a child has been neglected or abused--sexually or physically--multiple agencies are called to action. In a multivictim, out-of—home incident such as in a school or day care setting, for example, the potential exists for as many as ten (or possibly more) agencies to become involved should the case be prosecuted. When agencies fail to work together in responding to cases of child sexual abuse, the child can be victimized yet another time--this time by the system. The number of child sexual abuse cases reported annually is an elusive figure. The Uniform Crime Reports has statistics for the crime of rape, but these figures are not broken down by victim's age. Therefore, it is impossible to determine how many of the rape victims are children. Another source of statistics comes from the American Humane Association. Their figures are based upon an estimate of sexual abuse cases reported to state reporting agencies (Departments of Social Service) for the United States. The following estimates are not based on complete 8 figures, but are extrapolated on the basis of the states who participated in the AHA reporting system from 1976 through 1983 (Finkelhor, 1986). In 1976 the American Humane Association estimated there were 7,559 cases of intrafamilial child sexual abuse; by 1980 the estimated number had risen to 37,366; and by 1983 the number had increased to 71,961. These figures reflect only cases which are intrafamilial in nature and do not include cases in which law enforcement is the sole investigative agency. Even though an accurate accounting of the number of child sexual abuse reports received annually is unavailable, the figures above show reports of intrafamilial sexual abuse to be on the rise. Child sexual abuse, like rape, is a crime which has historically been underreported. It is a crime of a very personal nature, and often the victims and/or their families believe disclosure to the authorities would bring additional trauma. The perpetrator of child sexual abuse is responsible for the first, in what may be a series of victimizations to the child. The manner in which adults close to the child respond can produce a second victimization, and the manner in which the criminal justice system and human services system interact with the child can inflict yet another victimization. Police agencies are typically the first agency to be notified of suspected cases of child sexual abuse so police officers are frequently in a position to initiate a multidisciplinary response. The literature review which follows examines how a child sexual abuse victim's interaction with police officers can be a positive and therapeutic experience. This chapter also takes a look at how law enforcement, as part of a systems response, can work in cooperation with other agency responders to keep the systemic-induced stress upon the child to a minimum. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION VS. FRAGMENTED SYSTEM DELIVERY One frequently cited remedy to prevent a secondary victimization to child sexual victims by the system is to keep the number of interviews to a minimum (Commission on Peace Officer Standards, 1986; Conte and Berliner, 198l; Cramer, 1985; Goldstein, 1987; Hechler, 1978; International Association of Chiefs of Police, 1978; Kelley, 1985; Libai, 1969; MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986; Smietanka, 1988). The Prosecuting Attorney for Madison County, Alabama, (Cramer, 1985) pointed out that interagency cooperation did not in and of itself reduce the number of interviews a child experienced. Child sexual abuse victims still found themselves bounced from agency to agency. What did serve to reduce the strain upon child victims was a multidisciplinary, child-focused program (e.g., team approach). Interagenacy coordination, which encompasses cooperation and communication, was found not only to serve the children and their families better but also to serve the system better. 10 Cramer's Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama, utilizes team investigative interviews when law enforcement and child protective services must both interview the child to obtain information. Team case review is also utilized. The team is comprised of a police officer, social worker, therapist, assistant prosecutor, and victim/witness representative. Having representatives from these various agencies working together on child sexual abuse cases reduced the number of times children had to be interviewed. In addition, the children were interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Center so they did not have to make appearances at multiple agencies. When a child has been sexually abused in a multivictim, out-of-home incident as in a school or day care setting, for example, numerous agencies will become involved should the case be prosecuted. Various systems responders may include professionals from law enforcement, Child Protective Services, the prosecutor's office, courts, hospitals, and public or private mental health service providers. With fragmented service delivery from various system responders, complaints are often heard from one professional discipline about another. Police officers and Child Protective Services workers are prime examples. Police officers may complain about the interviewing style of case workers, and case workers may be critical of police who fail to file charges when a child discloses sexual abuse (Lloyd, 1989). Although some 11 complaints are legitimate, it is also true that some of the complaints are based in ignorance of the other's field. The person making the complaint "may not know the language, methods, values, and philosophy of the other field, or appreciate the external constraints on what those peers can do" (Lloyd, 1989: 260). Cross-training and interagency task force meetings are both means to gain knowledge and understanding about the mandate, mission, and realities of other agencies. A common goal across agencies is to obtain information when a child sexual abuse case falls under their agency's jurisdiction. The kinds of information needed and the methods by which the information is obtained, however, may vary from one agency to another and from one professional to another. Through mutual consent, the agency representatives can work together to prevent systemic trauma and excesive interviewing of children (MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986). The perpetrator of child sexual abuse is but one source of victimization for a child. Parents, relatives, and agency representatives appointed to handle child sexual abuse cases can revictimize a child by blaming the victim or not believing the victim. Once parents become aware of the sexual abuse of their child, whether it be intrafamilial or extrafamilial, they are often hesitant to make a report to the authorities. Fear of the investigative and court process acts as a strong deterrent to reporting. In addition, the child can pick up 12 on his or her parents' fear and also become afraid of what lies ahead (Goldstein, 1987). Police officers are in a position where they can provide information to child victims and their families to help reduce their anxiety about the unknown. By knowing what to expect (i.e., the possibility of additional interviews, meeting with the prosecutor, and testifying in court), the future becomes more manageable. W In addition to fear of the unknown, the child victims and their families are also at risk of experiencing long range emotional difficulties. At the time of the interview, police officers not only perform the role of investigator but also the role of crisis responder. Police officers must remain mindful of the fact that not all cases of alleged child sexual abuse will result in the involvement of other agencies. A case in which the perpetrator was not a family member and there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations would result in only a law enforcement contact. The point is, police officers play a pivotal role in the victims' and families' emotional adjustment to the victimization. Police officers can be a source of further victimization to child sexual abuse victims and their families or they can be a source of support, information, and referral. Referrals to mental health professionals are especially important if police officers fail to take time to advise the child's parents about the importance of the 13 parents' role in the child's emotional recovery from the sexual victimization. The therapists can provide emotional support to the parents and inform them of the possible short- and long-term effects of sexual abuse upon children. The therapists can also advise the parents on how to provide a supportive presence for their child. If police officers do not recommend following up with an appropriate social service agency, family doctor, psychologist, or clergyman, the parents may leave the emotional needs of their family unaddressed. The best interests of the child include his or her mental health: Police officers must keep this in mind in interacting with child victims and their families. Acting as a referral agent is a critical component of the police officer's function when conducting child sexual abuse investigations. An important issue needs to be raised here: If Child Protective Services does not become involved in a case, for whatever reason, the social services' function of seeing that the family's needs are met falls to the investigating police officers. When cases do not necessitate a response from Child Protective Services, are police officers, in addition to their investigatory responsibilities, also providing to the children and their families reassurance and support as well as information about local community services? If the children's and families' needs are left unrecognized or unaddressed, this surely is a revictimization by the system. 14 W A child abuse program for native Americans in South Dakota found that ”the interagency multidisciplinary team increased the quality of existing services to families and children through a more efficient and effective use of existing resources" (Byles, 1985: 549). Another study cited by Hochstadt (1985) indicated that a multidisciplinary team approach improved service acquisition for abused and neglected children. A team approach also prevents multiple information- gathering interviews. Multidisciplinary teams are based upon interagency communication. By working together, agency representatives can identify the information needed by the various systems and how the information can be obtained using the fewest numbers of interviews and interviewers possible. This can be accomplished by cross-staff planning among the various community agencies or simply by sharing ”interviewing techniques, goal outcomes, and specific types of information needs among a few key individuals within each system” (MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986: 167). Summit (1983: 191) advocates all agencies work together as a team to "give maximum promise of effective recovery for the victim, rehabilitation of the offender and survival of the family." Cramer (1985) has also demonstrated how the criminal justice system can benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach to child sexual abuse cases. By using team review of cases, relations between the police investigators and 15 child protective services workers were strengthened. They jointly investigated and reported on all child sexual abuse cases. The team review and team interviews helped each agency better understand the philosophy of the other and prevented duplication of effort. Cramer goes on to point out that of the 240 child sexual abuse victims served annually by the Children's Advocacy Center in Madison County (Huntsville, Alabama), about 40 percent of the cases are referred for prosecution. Of the cases referred for prosecution, nearly one hundred percent result in guilty pleas or convictions. He attributes the success of the program to focusing on the needs of the children, rather than on the needs of the agencies and professionals. Statistics regarding case disposition prior to the implementation of this program were not cited, nor are there national statistics available at this time regarding case outcome of child sexual abuse cases referred for prosecution. The unavailability of statistics for comparison must be taken into consideration when making any interpretation of the program's success. Until data is available for comparison, the program's "success” rate should be kept in perspective. WWII Hechler (1988) and Cramer (1985) recommend a multidisciplinary team be comprised of at least the folIowing members: social workers, police officers, 16 prosecutors, and therapists. Wagner (1987) recommends also including professionals from the medical community and juvenile court. There is no disputing the fact that individuals from different agencies or systems can have disparate goals and philosophies; but when they work together, not only do each of the agency representatives benefit, but so do the children and the families involved in a child sexual abuse incident. In order for team members to build relationships, there is a minimum requirement and that is to participate in team meetings. MacFarlane and Waterman (1986) stipulate that these meetings should be held regularly. Once people get together and start talking, ideas on how to make the system better will come forth (Hechler, 1988). The various systems can learn from each other the kinds of information that are useful and the best ways to gather the information. In this way, the best interests of the child victims are not sacrificed in order for agency representatives to accomplish their goals. MacFarlane and Waterman (1986: 167) state: Obtaining information of an evidence-gathering nature does not have to be antithetical or an impediment to sensitive clinical considerations. However, if systems which need facts and evidence do not coordinate with those which best under- stand the needs of children, the intended goals, as well as the children, will suffer. By using team interviews and/or a team review in child sexual abuse cases, the needed information can be obtained "from one interview or a set of interviews conducted by the 17 same person or persons, which can then be shared among the agencies with mandated responsibilities or clinical interests in a case" (MacFarlane & Waterman, 1986: 167). A multidisciplinary team approach benefits both the system and the child victim: The competition and misunderstanding that sometimes exist among agencies can be decreased, and the safety and welfare of the child can be guaranteed (Wagner, 1987). W Many states require cross-reporting of suspected cases of child abuse (Goldstein, 1987). In Michigan, for example, the Department of Social Services in conducting its investigation of child abuse or neglect cases is mandated to ”seek the assistance of and cooperate with law enforcement officials within 24 hours after becoming aware that . . . the child is the victim of suspected sexual abuse or sexual exploitation” (P.A. 1988, No. 372 (Secs. 8(1), 8(3), 8(3)(b)l. Local law enforcement agencies are also mandated to make a report to the Department of Social Services in the following circumstance: If a local law enforcement agency receives a written report of suspected child abuse or neglect, whether from the reporting person or the depart- ment ("department" means the state department of social services), the report or subsequent investi- gation indicates that the abuse or neglect was committed by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare, and the local law enforcement agency believes that the report has basis in fact, the local law enforcement agency shall provide a copy of the written report and the results of any investigation to the county department of social services of the county in which the abused 18 or neglected child is found. [P.A. 1988, No. 372, Sec. 3(7)]. In child sexual abuse cases in which the perpetrator is a person responsible for the child's health or welfare, police officers and Child Protective Services workers both have an investigative role to play. Police officers seek information and evidence to substantiate or refute the allegations of child sexual abuse. Child Protective Services approaches the investigation from a different perspective--and that is to make a determination whether the child is at risk of further abuse or neglect if left in the home. Protective Services workers also identify what kinds of services may be needed by the child victims and their families and make the necessary referrals. When cases of child sexual abuse engender a response from both investigative agencies (law enforcement and Child Protective Services), team interviews make sense. Working together reduces the fragmented systems approach and duplication of effort, in addition to decreasing the number of interviews children must endure. The literature leaves little doubt that multiple interviews and legal intervention can affect the child adversely (Commission on Peace Officer Standards, 1986; Conte and Berliner, 1981; Goldstein, 1987; Hechler, 1988; International Association of Chiefs of Police, 1978; Kelley, 1985; Libai, 1969; MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986; Smietanka, 1988). 19 We The logic behind multiple interviews may be incomprehensible to child victims. Some children will take it upon themselves to put an end to further interviews by shutting down all communication on the subject and refusing to answer any more questions. Some may go so far as to retract their stories altogether (MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986; Summit, 1983). The point is: There is no legitimate reason children must experience an excesive number of interviews. Techniques recommended by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards (1986) to minimize the number of victim interviews include: coordination of the investigation with Child Welfare Services, consultations with the prosecuting attorney, use of audio and/or video recordings, and conducting thorough and well-documented interviews. Conte and Berliner (1981) also recommend joint interviews be conducted by the police and prosecutors to reduce the number of times a child must be questioned. Numerous interviews not only place stress upon child victims, but numerous interviews can also be problematic for the outcome of the case. MacFarlane & Waterman (1986) point out that with each telling, children tend to lose the spontaneity and immediacy that is usually apparent in the first disclosure of sexual abuse. Some children relate the experience with no emotional affect, which makes their statement appear slick, rehearsed or simply a matter of fact. In addition, children may incorporate into their 20 descriptions verbal input and personal reactions of the adults with whom they interact (MacFarlane & Waterman, 1986). Even though team interviewing can reduce the number of times a child must be interviewed, consideration has to be given to the fact that multiple interviewers simultaneously converging upon a single child may be unnerving (Goldstein, 1987). Some alternatives to expanding team interviewing include video taping interviews with the children, and team case reviews, which may or may not include video taped interviews. Whatever method employed to gather information from the child, the needs of the child must always be balanced with the needs of the interview (Goldstein, 1987). Hollingsworth (1986) goes one step further to specify that if a situation arose where there was a conflict between the prosecution's needs and the children's, the children's needs would prevail. There is a similar law in Israel, the "Law of Evidence" regarding the Protection of Children (Libai, 1969). W Taping of initial sessions with child sexual abuse victims was initiated to eliminate duplicative interviews by a wide variety of professionals in various systems having a legitimate interest in the children's welfare or in the prosecution of alleged crimes (MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986). Each successive interview for whatever purpose 21 (medical, clinical, or legal) can evoke guilt feelings or feelings of anxiety in the child because the child must reexperience his or her victimization with every interview. Electronic recording of the interviews will not entirely eliminate the need for further interviews. Excessiyg, interviews with child victims can be eliminated if the various systems can reach mutual consent regarding the following issues: Who will conduct the videotaped interviews? What will the the taped interviews be used for? Who will have access to the tapes? And, what information must be included in them? (MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986). Goldstein (1987: 205) states: The ultimate decision to record or not to record interviews should be made by the investigator, with all members of the criminal justice and child-protection systems having input into the final outcome. The positive and negative aspects of such a recording should be weighed carefully in making this decision. MacFarlane and Waterman (1986) also recognize video taping as an important means to enhance multidisciplinary teamwork on these cases in an effort to reduce systemic trauma to children. The method used to record the child's statement is a factor which determines how many times the child must be interviewed (Libai, 1969). A written statement, composed in the third person, is not a verbatim transcript of the child's response; and the interviewer's interpretation and biases may unintentionally get incorporated into the written 22 report. A written report, therefore, will not necessarily reduce the number of times a child must be interviewed. Agency professionals who require a direct impression of the child's story in order to form an opinion may be reluctant to rely solely on a written statement. A taped interview (either audio tape or video tape) is a first- person account, in the child's own words and in the child's own voice, of what happened. By becoming acquainted with the taped information, additional interviews could be kept to a minimum and prevent the necessity of asking exactly the same questions in successive interviews (MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986). Using video tape as a medium, a child's non-verbal reactions will also be recorded. A child's physical reactions, facial expressions, body language, and various expressions of fear, pain, anger, and avoidance which could otherwise go unnoticed can all be captured by electronically recording the interview (Goldstein, 1987; MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986). The video tape "captures a child's first reactions before they can be influenced by time and other intervening people and events (MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986: 168). The actual non-verbal and verbal responses of the victmized child are also a more accurate record of the child's response than a report written in the third person. Other benefits of taped interviews to victimized children are that the tape may be used to convince 23 unbelieving relatives and that the tapes may be used in an attempt to obtain confessions from alleged perpetrators. Although taped interviews can be used for other purposes, the purposes discussed in this chapter are limited to those which will keep the number of victim interviews to a minimum. As noted earlier, an advantage of electronically recording interviews with child sexual abuse victims is that responses are captured verbatim. Both parties to the interview are recorded--the interviewer and the interviewee. This is an important fact because defense attorneys often use these tapes to discredit the interviewer, the techniques used, and the prosecution's case (MacFarlane and Waterman, 1986). If the interviewer has followed specific guidelines when interviewing a child, the tapes can be used to support the propriety of the interview techniques (Goldstein, 1987). The fact that an audio or video taped interview can be used against the interviewer and against the child is a factor in deciding whether to electronically record interviews with child sexual abuse victims. Although there are risks to the case in utilizing this method of preserving information, the benefit to the child must be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to record the initial statements of child victims. anifizililnlnfl Due to the multidisciplinary nature of child sexual abuse cases, the professionals involved in handling these 24 cases can learn from one another's respective discipline. Effective interviewing techniques for police officers come not only from the law enforcement community, but from the therapeutic community as well. Today, in addition to their own experience and law enforcement training, police officers are drawing on techniques used by therapists to assist the child in relating what happened to him or her so the child experiences minimal additional trauma (Goldstein, 1987). Because interviews with child victims by police investigators are more directive than are interviews or therapy sessions conducted by mental health professionals, the communication techniques used by therapists are being adapted to fit the more directive interview approach used by police investigators (Goldstein, 1987). Cross-training is an effective means of transferring information from one discipline to another. POLICE OFFICERS AS CRISIS INTERVENERS 33W As a first responder, police officers are in a unique position to give information to parents about how they can be supportive of their child. Police officers can also inform the parents of services provided by other agencies in their community which may be useful to them. For example, parents may be in need of counseling resources. They may or may not choose to use them, but having information regarding the resources will make the 25 resources more easily accessible to the children and families, if and when therapeutic intervention is needed. When parents learn of their child's victimization, they often experience a grief reaction—~a combination of anger, fear, shame, and sadness. Feelings of extreme guilt and self-blame for not protecting their child are also common. To relieve their guilt feelings, the blame is often shifted to the victim (Stone, et al., 1984). Police officers who are aware of the ”blame the victim" reaction, can tactfully explain to parents that their negative and non-supportive reactions could adversely affect the child and delay the child's future recovery (Stone, et al., 1984). Dr. Joseph Braga, a child development expert who interviewed children involved in a multi-victim sexual abuse incident, did not feel immediate therapeutic intervention for the children was necessary. He contended that if the parents provided the support needed by the child, then weekly therapy sessions were unnecessary. However, if the parents were unable to cope with the situation, they may wish to seek out a competent therapist (Hollingsworth, 1986). Whether one or more agencies respond to cases of child sexual abuse, it is essential the children are told they are not to blame. They must hear from someone that it's not their fault. They must get a clear message that they have 26 done nothing wrong (Conte and Berliner, 1981; Kelley, 1985; Sanford, 1980). Some parents and even some professionals interacting with child sexual abuse victims will misplace the blame on the children rather than on the perpetrators where the blame rightfully belongs. Thus, the child's sense of guilt can be lessened by placing the responsibility on the offender (Conte and Berliner, 1981). Conte and Berliner (1981: 606) also state: Although conclusive evidence is lacking, many clinicians suspect that long-term adverse effects of sexual abuse of children can be alleviated or lessened by others around the child at the time the abuse becomes known. Again, with law enforcement being the first, and sometimes only, responder, it is imperative that investigators tell the children that they are not to blame for what happened to them. Without hearing this information from the investigator, the child may not hear it at all. Even if the case calls for a multidisciplinary response, it is better to hear repeatedly that the fault lies with the perpetrator, than not to hear it at all. This fact is too important for the child to hear to have an investigator assume the child will be told by another service provider that it's not the child's fault. CONCLUSION The interaction the children and their families have with system responders can have a great impact on their 27 recovery from the sexual victimization. Each professional with whom they interact has an obligation to provide support and reassurance, and to make known to the families, other community agencies which will be able to provide further for their needs. Revictimization by the system can be induced both by what is said and by what is not said. As a first responder to child sexual abuse cases, law enforcement representatives must be sensitive to the needs of the child victims and their parents When—um addressed- In cases of multiple victims and offenders, where factions form of those who believe the children (generally parents of the children) and those who don't (generally members and supporters of the program, school, or friends of the accused), the professionals can help to provide the support the victim and his family need (Goldstein, 1987: 297). Stone, et a1. (1984) point out that many research papers and lectures on sexual abuse of children refer separately to the police investigator and the "helping" or "support” persons to differentiate between the law enforcement officer and those who are going to try to help the child deal with problems on a long-term basis. He further states that the police officer should be included in the "helping" categories because: Sensitive handling of the sexual abuse investigation by the police officer can be the single most important issue in initiating successful treatment of the child (p. 82). Because the police officer is not trained as a therapist, the officer may not view his or her interaction with a child sexual abuse victim as a therapeutic 28 interaction. The police officer who conducts a sexual abuse investigation with sensitivity and understanding is the first therapist with whom the child is going to have contact, and frequently, the only therapist (Stone, et al., 1984). Cases in which the perpetrator is a father or step- father may leave the child "psychologically orphaned" because the mother may reject the child rather than reject her spouse (Summit, 1983). System responders may be the only source of information and support available to these children. The responsibility falls heavily upon first responders to treat the child with sensitivity and with understanding. Professionals who come in contact with sexually abused children and who treat the children in a sensitive manner will affect the victim positively and may decrease the chances of long term psychological damage (Conte and Berliner, 1981; Stone, et al., 1984). Sensitive treatment of the child and keeping the number of times a child must be interviewed to a minimum are in the child's best interest. How police officers in Michigan are meeting these goals during their investigation of child sexual abuse cases is the topic of Chapter 4. CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY The topics to be discussed in this chapter include: the research sample, the design of the survey instrument, and methodological procedures. W Michigan's law enforcement system is comprised of the following agency types: Michigan State Police; county sheriffs departments; township, village, and city police departments (hereinafter referred to as "municipal" police departments). The survey sample included all Michigan State Police Posts (N = 68), all Michigan sheriffs departments (N x 83), and 100 systematically selected municipal police departments. The data for this survey came from the law enforcement personnel who returned their completed questionnaires. The survey instrument, a self-administered questionnaire, was mailed to each post or team commander of the Michigan State Police, each Michigan sheriff, and the police chief of the municipal police agencies selected for the study. The questionnaire was 10 pages long and consisted of 48 questions. Item 49, rather than being a 29 30 question, was an Opportunity for respondents to comment on any aspect of the research. W The survey was designed to obtain descriptive information of the following nature: (1) Statistical information regarding number of sworn personnel, approximate number of reported child sexual abuse cases for calendar year 1988, the percentage of reported cases that were incestuous, and the percentage that were non-incestuous. There were also two contingency questions for departments which indicated they had at least one person who specialized in handling child sexual abuse cases. (2) What police officers, as individuals, are doing during the law enforcement response to keep the stress to the child sexual abuse victims to a minimum, and (3) How law enforcement, as part of a systemic response, is working with other agencies to prevent a revictimization of the child by the system. The first five questions on the survey requested the respondent to provide statistical information by writing that information in the blanks provided. The remaining questions forced-choice. Given the nature of the survey, every effort was made to ensure that responses were mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. This questionnaire style was chosen in an effort to obtain the greatest amount of information, from a maximum 31 number of respondents, requesting from them a minimum investment of time. A copy of the entire survey can be found in Appendix A. For purposes of this research, only the components addressing interagency issues and the police officer's role as "crisis intervener" will be addressed. So the reader can see the exact wording of the questions addressed, the following survey questions pertained to the police officer as crisis intervener: Survey Questions 34, 35, 36, 39, and 46. The interagency issues are addressed by the following Survey Questions: 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 17A, 18, 18A, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 39. MAILINGS Walnuts. All Michigan Sheriffs (N = 83) received in their initial mailing a cover letter from Bernard J. Grysen, Executive Director of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association, a cover letter from the researcher (Appendix B), and a copy of the survey. The initial cover letter dated November 29, 1988, requested completed surveys to be returned before the Christmas holidays. To remind people, a followup mailing was sent December 16 (Appendix C). Subsequently, a reminder was printed in the January 23, 1989, issue of "All Points 32 Bulletin," a monthly publication of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association Educational Services. Wise All 68 Michigan State Police post and team commanders received in their initial mailing: a memo of endorsement from Col. R.T. Davis, Director of the Michigan Department of State Police, a cover letter from the researcher, and one copy of the survey. The eight District Commanders received a copy of the survey which they were instructed not to complete, a copy of the researcher's cover letter to the post and team commanders, a copy of Col. Davis' memo of endorsement, and a letter from the researcher which indicated they were receiving this information at the request of Col. Davis to let them know of the research effort in which the posts in their district had been asked to participate. Maj. Lawrence E. Miller (Michigan Department of State Police, Uniform Services Bureau) and Lt. Col. James E. Daust (Michigan Department of State Police, Office of Field Services) also received the same information as itemized above for the District Commanders. Because of the unusually high response rate (94%) from the initial mailing, a followup mailing was not done. MW One hundred systematically selected police chiefs were mailed a copy of the survey along with the researcher's 33 cover letter. There was no letter of endorsement sent to the municipal police chiefs. A followup letter, again individually addressed, was sent approximately one month later. W The researcher's cover letter was individually addressed to each sheriff, post and team commander, and police chief to personalize the letter. A self-addressed, postage-paid return envelope was also included in the initial mailing. Each mailed questionnaire had a code number assigned by the researcher to monitor the returns and to target the non- respondents for a followup mailing. Only non-responding agencies received a followup letter from the researcher. RESPONSE RATES A mean law enforcement response rate of 72% was received from the three law enforcement agency types surveyed. The response rate from each agency type is discussed below. Sheriffs. Records were not kept of return rates as the surveys were returned, so response rates broken down by initial mailing, first followup, and published reminder are not available. The response rate for the Michigan sheriffs departments was 66%. 34 Of the 55 surveys returned, two were unusable. One respondent indicated that incidents of this nature were generally reported to the complainants' local police departments. The other survey returned which was also unusable had a notation that all cases reported to their department were turned over either to the Michigan State Police or Protective Services. The usable response rate was 64‘. W29. The post and team commanders of the Michigan Department of State Police were the second law enforcement group to receive the child sexual abuse survey. The researcher elected not to send a followup mailing as the initial mailing had resulted in a 94% response rate. One survey, of the 64 returned, was returned uncompleted, therefore making it unusable. The respondent indicated that due to the unique responsibilities of this post, personnel would seldom have occasion to investigate child sexual abuse cases. The usable response rate was 93%. W As a result of the initial mailing to 100 municipal police chiefs, 46 surveys were returned. The second mailing was sent only to these departments which had not yet responded. An additional 10 surveys were received, bringing the total of returned surveys to 56 (56% total response rate). the I natu comp by a ‘85 35 Three surveys which were returned were unusable because the respondents indicated they either had no cases of this nature in the past few years and, thus, were not able to complete the survey; or, cases of this nature were handled by another law enforcement agency. The usable response rate was 53%. ad pe it CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS This chapter provides a presentation of the data and addresses the findings in two sections. The first section pertains to the issue of the police officers as crisis interveners, and the second section pertains to law enforcement issues relevant to a systems response. Response rates are identified either by (a) agency type--sheriffs departments, the Michigan Department of State Police (MSP), or municipal police departments; or (b) ”law enforcement (LE)" response rates, which is to be interpreted by the reader as the mean response rate for the three agency types surveyed. As indicated earlier, only the questions pertaining to the two issues under discussion will be addressed. The survey question number will be identified for the reader's convenience in locating the question on the survey instrument (Appendix A). POLICE OFFICERS AS CRISIS INTERVENERS As Carow (1980) points out, the counseling component of the victim service response is comprised of two rather distinct processes: 36 ir he 37 . short—term crisis intervention and peer support; and/or . longer-term psychological counseling The police officer, as a responder to the victim, is in a position to provide the much needed on-the-scene crisis intervention. The police officer can normalize the abuse to the child by assuring the child that many other children have been sexually abused. He or she is not the only child to whom this has happened. One question (Survey Question 35) posed to Michigan police administrators (sheriff, post or team commander, or chief) reads: ”Do your investigators tell child sexual abuse victims that they are not the only children who have been sexualy abused?" The response choices were ”Yes, always"; ”Sometimes"; and ”No, never." Very few of the total agency respondents (4.2%) indicated that children were ”never" told. Although very few of the total number of respondents "never" told child sexual abuse victims that they are not the only children to have been sexually abused (4.2%), only the sheriffs departments had more than 50% of the respondents (54.7%) "always" telling this to the children. The mean response rate for "always" telling the children was 42.4%, with 53.0% of all respondents indicating children were "sometimes” told. 38 TABLE 4.1 Law Enforcement Investigators Telling Child Sexual Abuse Victims That other Children Have Been Sexually Abused Mean Sheriffs MSP Municipal L.E. Response % % % % Yes, always 54.7 34.9 38.5 42.3 Sometimes 39.6 61.9 55.8 53.0 No, never 5.7 1.6 5.8 4.2 Unknown -- 1.6 -- 9.5 TOTAL % 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 In other words, less than half of all respoondents (42.3%) indicated their investigators "always" told children that other children have also been sexually abused: sheriffs (54.7%), MSP (34.9%), and municipal (38.5). These statistics indicate that normalizing child sexual abuse to child victims does not appear to be a standard operating procedure in Michigan sheriff's departments, Michigan State Police posts, or among Michigan municipal police departments. Not only does the child benefit emotionally from hearing this information, but the investigation may benefit as well. Upon the child's hearing that he or she is not the only child to have been abused in such a way, the child may experience a sense of relief and feel more comfortable in going on with the interview. Due to the benefit to the child and to the investigation, police administrators may want to consider having their officers tell children, as 1 '51. -v {‘4 39 routine practice, that they are not alone in their sexual victimization. Children also need to know they have done nothing wrong--that they are not to blame for what happened to them. When this information is not shared, children may blame themselves for their victimization. Hearing from a police officer that it's not the child's fault may help the child to place the blame where it rightfully belongs-~on the perpetrator. Survey Question 34 asked whether investigators tell child sexual abuse victims that they, the children, are not responsible for the sexual abuse incident. The response choices were "Yes, always"; "Sometimes"; and "No, never." None of the agencies indicated children were "never” told. Eighty-nine percent of all respondents indicated children were "always" told they weren't responsible for the sexual abuse: sheriffs (88.7%), MSP (93.5%), and municipal (86.8%). These data show the respondents routinely placing the blame where it belongs--on the perpetrator. The results of the responses to this question are presented in Table 4.2. 40 TABLE 4.2 Law Enforcement Investigators Telling Child Sexual Abuse Victims That the Children Are Not Responsible for Their Sexual Victimization Mean Sheriffs MSP Municipal L.E. Response % % % % Yes, always 88.7 93.7 86.8 89.9 Sometimes 11.3 6.3 11.3 9.5 No, never 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Unknown -- -- 1.2 9.5 TOTAL % 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Survey Question 46 asked whether counseling service providers are made known to parents of child sexual abuse victims by police officers. The response choices were "Yes, always"; "Sometimes"; and "No, never." In response, agency respondents indicated that counseling service providers are ”always" made known to parents of child sexual abuse victims: sheriffs (67.9%), MSP (50%), and municipal (67.3%). The remaining municipal respondents (32.7%) ”sometimes” made counseling service providers known to the parents. Eight percent (8.1%, n=5) of MSP respondents and 3.8% (n=2) of sheriffs indicated counseling service providers are "never" made known to the parents of child sexual abuse victims by their investigators. Table 4.3 presents the above information in greater detail by agency type. 41 TABLE 4.3 Law Enforcement Investigators Making Counseling Service Providers Known to Parents of Child Sexual Abuse Victims Mean Sheriffs MSP Municipal L.E. Response % % % % Yes, always 67.9 50.0 67.3 61.1 Sometimes 28.3 41.9 32.7 34.7 No, never 3.8 8,1 9,0 4.2 TOTAL % 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Due to the intimate nature of the crime of child sexual abuse, the event could be as traumatic (or more so) for the parents of a child victim. It's possible the child and/or parents may want to speak to a professional who is trained to provide short-term crisis intervention counseling or longer-term psychological counseling. During their investigation police officers can make known to the children and their parents counseling service providers in their community. In identifying ways in which their respective agencies could improve their child sexual abuse investigations, 71.7% of responding sheriffs, 68.3% of MSP respondents, and 69.8% of municipal police department respondents selected "additional training for investigators in crisis intervention skills" (Survey Question 39). 42 TABLE 4.4 Additional Training About Crisis Intervention As a Way to Improve Respondents' Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse Mean Sheriffs MSP Municipal L.E. Response % % % % Checked 71.7 68.3 69.8 69.8 Not checked .21.}. .3.1_._1 .3.D_._Z .19...Z TOTAL % 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 These responses indicate that the police administrators surveyed recognize child sexual abuse as a crime engendering a crisis in the child's and/or parents' lives. As law enforcement investigators and crisis responders, the police officers during their interaction with the family are thrown into the midst of a family's crisis. Nearly 70% (69.8%) of all respondents felt their investigations could be improved by receiving additional training about crisis intervention. The police agency administrators were asked whether their investigators of child sexual abuse cases receive training in crisis intervention (Survey Question 36). Table 4.5 illustrates their responses. 43 TABLE 4.5 Law Enforcement Investigators Receiving Training in Crisis Intervention , Mean Sheriffs MSP Municipal L.E. Response % % % % Yes, always 32.1 15.9 21.2 22.6 Sometimes 58.5 63.5 69.2 63.7 NO: never __211. —ZQL§. __245. .1111 TOTAL % 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 As observed in Table 4.5, nearly 64% of all respondents "sometimes" receive training in crisis intervention; and 23% percent report crisis intervention training is "always" received by their investigators. Michigan State Police has the greatest percentage reporting crisis intervention training is "never" received (20.6%) compared to sheriffs (9.4%) and municipal (9.6%). The variance between MSP and the other law enforcement respondents reporting that crisis intervention training is ”never" received may be due in part to Michigan State Police troopers attending fewer external training programs. The primary source of training for Michigan State Police is its own training division. Their child sexual abuse conferences may contain topics which are more ”procedural" than "humanistic"; and their officers may not be sent to many programs conducted by outside training sources offering a wider selection of training topics, such as crisis intervention. 44 LAW ENFORCEMENT AS PART OF A SYSTEMS RESPONSE TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Law enforcement respondents were asked to rate their agency's working relationship with Child Protective Services as either "Excellent," "Good,” "Satisfactory," or "Poor" (Survey Question 16). Although the mean of the law enforcement response rate of 89.9% indicated their agency's working relationship with Child Protective Services to be either "good" or "excellent," the municipal police respondents had a markedly lower percentage of respondents indicating the relationship to be "excellent" (32.1%), compared to sheriffs (69.8%) and Michigan State Police (61.9%). The Child Protection Law in effect at the time this survey was conducted (P.A. 1975, No. 238) mandates that Child Protective Services shall notify law enforcement officials within 24 hours after becoming aware that the child is the victim of sexual abuse "by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare” (MCLA 722.622, Sec. 2(e); and MCLA 722.628, Sec 8(3)(b), as amended 1984. Sec. 8(3)(e) states a further condition for Child Protective Services to seek the assistance of law enforcement officials within 24 hours. That condition reads: ”The alleged perpetrator of the child's injury is not a person responsible for the child's health or welfare." Depending upon the Department of Social Services' 45 administrative interpretation of the word "injury," child sexual abuse may or may not fall under this category. The law has subsequently been revised (P.A. 1989, No. 372, effective March 30) to expand the definition of "sexual abuse" by deleting the phrase "by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare." This means that Child Protective Services must now report all suspected cases of child sexual abuse to law enforcement officials within 24 hours after becoming aware that the child is a victim of suspected sexual abuse. Survey respondents were asked whether Child Protective Services routinely notified their agency within 24 hours after becoming aware that a child is the victim of suspected sexual abuse by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare (Survey Question 7). In the perception of the three law enforcement agency types, less than 70% of all respondents indicated such notification is "always” received within 24 hours from Protective Services: sheriffs (69.8%), MSP (68.3%), and municipal 67.9%). Rarely was notification perceived "never" to be received from Protective Services within 24 hours: sheriffs 3.8% (n=2) and MSP 1.6% (n=1). What about routine notification to law enforcement when Child Protective Services becomes aware of child sexual abuse by a person ngt_responsible for the child's health or welfare (Survey Question 8)? In response to this question, the following percentages reflect the respondents' perception of their agency "always" being notified by Child 46 Protective Services within 24 hours: sheriffs (67.9%), MSP (58.7%), and municipal (59.6%). In comparing cross-notification to law enforcement by Child Protective Services when the alleged perpetrator is a person responsible for the child's health and welfare to cross notification when the alleged perpetrator is a person not responsible for the child's health and welfare, the expediency of cross-notification appears to decline when the alleged perpetrator is a person who is not responsible for the child's health or welfare. See Table 4.6, below: TABLE 4.6 Child Protective Services' Notification to Law Enforcement Agency Within 24 Hours of Receiving Report of Suspected Child Sexual Abuse Sheriffs MSP Municipal Mean LE Person IPerson llierson Person Person Person Person Person Res t Resp Not Resp Resp Not. Resp Resp Not Resp Response E Z “I Z Z Z Z 2 Yes, always 69.8 67.9 68.3 58.7 67.9 59.6 68.6 61.9 Sometimes 26.4 28.3 30.2 38.1 32.1 38.5 29.6 35.1 No, never 3.8 3.8 1.6 3.2 -- -- 1.8 2.4 -- -- - - -- .6 .. -- 1.9 remix TRIO TRIO TRII TRIO TRIO TRIO TRIO TRIO The police and sheriffs departments were asked whether they notified Child Protective Services (CPS) when their agency was the first to receive a report of child sexual abuse and the alleged perpetrator was a person responsible for the child's health or welfare (Survey Question 9). (The phrase ”within 24 hours” was not included in this question.) The Child Protection Law of 1975, however, mandates law enforcement officers who have :ggsgnable_cau§g_tg_saspect a 47 child is the victim of sexual abuse to make an oral report ”immediately" to the Department of Social Services (e.g., Child Protective Services). Eighty-three percent (83%) of the responding sheriffs, MSP (92.1%), and municipal (96.2%) indicated CPS was "always" notified. Table 4.7 makes the following comparison: . Law enforcement respondent's perception of cross-notification by Child Protective Services to their law enforcement agency within 24 hours when CPS is the first agency to receive a report of suspected child sexual abuse by a person responsible for the child's health and welfare; and . Cross-notification by their agency to Child Protective Services when their law enforcement agency is the first to receive a report of suspected child sexual abuse by a person responsible for the child's health and welfare TABLE 4.7 Cross-Notification When Alleged Perpetrator Is Person Responsible for Child's Health Or Welfare Sheriffs “5p Municipal Mean LE CPS to Law 5115 CPS to Lawfiif CPS to Lawm CPS to fiwfif— LawEnf tOCPS Lawfhf LOCPS LEVIN tOCPS Lawfhf tOCPS I m 1 1 __1 A: Z 1 I 1 Yes, always 69.8 83.0 68.3 92.1 67.9 96.2 68.6 90.5 Sometimes 26.4 17.0 33.2 7.9 32.1 3.8 29.6 9.5 No, never 3.8 -- 1 6 -- -- -- 1.8 -- . TRIO RHN.Z TRIO 3 3 3 a i 3 The respondents who indicated that Child Protective Services were "always" or ”sometimes" notified of reports of child sexual abuse in which the alleged perpetrator was a person responsible for the child's health or welfare were asked a followup question (Survey Question 9A). They were asked how frequently a Protective Services caseworker is 48 with the investigator during the initial interview of the child. The response choices were: "always," "frequently," "sometimes," "rarely," and "never." Of the three law enforcement groups surveyed, the sheriffs' departments most frequently participated in team interviews with a CPS caseworker: sheriffs (82.4% ”always" or "frequently"), MSP (77.8% "always" or "frequently”), and municipal (45.3% "always" or "frequently"). Table 4.8 provides a more detailed breakdown of the responses. TABLE 4.8 Team Interviews by the Police and CPS Mean Sheriffs MSP Municipal L.E. Response % % % % Always 25.5 7.9 11.3 14.4 Frequently 56.9 69.8 34.0 54.5 Sometimes 5.9 17 5 30.2 18.0 Rarely 11.8 3 2 18.9 10.8 Never -- 1.5 5.1 2.5 TOTAL % 100 0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Another question asked of all respondents was whether service providers outside of law enforcement interview the child victim during law enforcement's interview (Survey Question 17). Over one-quarter (28.3%) of the municipal respondents indicated this was "never” done. The agency most frequently utilizing the team approach was the sheriffs departments with 17% of sheriffs' respondents indicating team interviews were "always" conducted (contrasted to 4.8% of MSP respondents and 11.3% of municipal respondents). 49 The following five agencies were most frequently identified by all law enforcement respondents as possibly interviewing the child during the law enforcement's interview (Survey Question 17A). The percentages cited are the mean percentages of the cumulative responses from the three agency types. 91.4% Child Protective Services 52.5% Prosecutor's Office 37.4% Mental Health 36.0% Schools 32.4% Hospitals Even though Child Protective Services workers and law enforcement officers need to obtain similar information from child sexual abuse victims, an exceedingly small percentage of all respondents reported team interviews were ”always" conducted (10.7%) (Survey Question 17). As mentioned earlier, the Child Protection Law has been revised subsequent to this study to mandate cross-notification between law enforcement and Child Protective Services in all cases of suspected child sexual abuse (P.A. 1989, No. 372). With cross-notification mandated and Protective Services and law enforcement having similar informational needs, team interviews are to be encouraged. By conducting team interviews, the number of times children must be interviewed will be reduced, thus reducing not only the stress upon children but the inconvenience to the children and their families. The various law enforcement agency respondents were asked whether their agency has a representative on an 50 interagency task force (or coalition) where child sexual abuse issues are discussed (Survey Question 18). Sixty-five percent (65.1%) of the MSP respondents answered "yes" to this question. One-half (52.9%) of the responding sheriffs and two-thirds (66%) of the responding police chiefs indicated their agency was not represented on an interagency task force or coalition where child sexual abuse issues are discussed. In the cases where respondents indicated they were represented on an interagency task force or coalition, more than half of them mentioned the following service providers as also being represented on the task force (Survey Question 18A): 88.4% Protective Services 69.8% Prosecutor's Office 66.3% Child Abuse & Neglect Council 64.0% Probate Court 61.6% Psychologist Of the remaining six service provider options listed for the respondents, two other service providers were indicated by more than 40% of the respondents: schools (46.5%) and doctors (43.0%). To ascertain the interagency contacts made by law enforcement agencies in cases of child sexual abuse, police administrators were asked what agencies might be contacted by their agency in the following circumstances: . in the event of a child sexual abuse incident that is non-incestuous in nature (Survey Question 23), and 51 . in the event of a child sexual abuse incident that is incestuous in nature (Survey Question 24) The data received is presented below in Table 4.9 TABLE 4.9 Agencies Contacted by Law Enforcement in Child Sexual Abuse Cases Sheriffs MSP Municipal Mean LB Tlon- Non- Non- Won- Incest Incest Incest Incest Incest Incest Incest Incest Response 2 1 z 1 Z Z Z Z Other law enf agencies 58.5 71.7 63.5 69.8 71.7 84.9 64.5 75.1 Protective Services 100.0 84.9 100.0 81.0 100.0 86.8 100.0 84.0 Prosecutor's office 96.2 94.3 92.1 95.2 98.1 98.1 95.3 95.9 Carmmity Mental Health 67.9 69.8 58.7 46.0 49.1 35.8 58.6 50.3 Public Health Dept. 26.4 28.3 22.2 17.5 17.0 17.0 21.9 20.7 Hospitals 66.0 56.6 69.8 66.7 79.2 77.4 71.6 66.9 Rape crisis centers 45.3 45.3 31.7 46.0 60.4 67.9 45.0 52.7 15.1 11.3 7.9 7.9 15.1 9.4 12.4 9.5 All survey respondents (100%) indicated Protective Services might be contacted in cases of sexual abuse that were incestuous in nature. Three-quarters (75.1%) of all respondents might contact Protective Services in cases that were non-incestuous in nature. The prosecutor's office also had a high likelihood of being contacted regardless of the perpetrator's relationship to the child. The mean law enforcement response rate was 95.3% if the case was incestuous and 95.9% if non- incestuous. Of the three law enforcement groups, the respondents from the sheriffs departments showed a higher likelihood of contacting Community Mental Health (67.9% for incestuous cases and 69.8% for non-incestuous cases) than did the respondents from the Michigan State Police posts (58.7% 52 incestuous; 46% non-incestuous) and municipal police departments (49.1% incestuous; 35.8% non-incestuous). The municipal police departments had the least number of respondents indicating Community Mental Health might be contacted in either type of case. Two-thirds of all respondents (66.9%) indicated a hospital might be contacted for non-incestuous incidents, and 71.6% of all respondents indicated a hospital might be contacted for incestuous cases. Regardless of whether or not a child has sustained an injury, or whether physical evidence can or cannot be obtained, it is advisable for all children to be examined and reassured by a physician that the children are (or are going to be) alright. In referring to male victims, Goldstein writes: Greater than the fear of being labeled a homosexual is another concern and reason for nondisclosure by boys: fear of becoming homosexual. The myth that to be molested by a man will cause a boy to become gay is widespread, and the fear of this coming to pass will prevent many boys from telling of their abuse (Goldstein, 1987:35). Children who disclose their sexual victimization need to hear from a medical professional that their bodies have not changed or been damaged and that they will grow up to be normal, healthy adults (Sanford, 1980). Hearing this information from a medical authority may allay a child's unspoken fear that because of this incident, he or she is destined to become homosexual. As mentioned in Chapter 2, videotaping is one method that can be used to record a child victim's statement; and 53 depending upon who is privy to viewing the statement, videotaping has the potential to eliminate excessive questioning of child victims. Videotaping is also an efficient means of capturing the child's words verbatim and recording his or her non-verbal responses. Michigan's P.A. 1987, No. 44 (Sec. 5) states: In order to avoid excessive questioning of a witness, a videotape statement of a witness may be taken by the investigating law enforce- ment agency prior to the normally scheduled date for the defendant's preliminary examination. ”The above provision applies to any witness under 15 years of age or any witness over 15 years of age with a developmental disability,” (Mehren and Egner, 1990). When police administrators were asked how often their investigators videotaped the initial interviews with child sexual abuse victims (Survey Question 28), 73.1% of all respondents replied the statements were "infrequently" or "never" videotaped: sheriffs (66.0%), MSP (66.7%), municipal (88.7%). One-half (50.3%) of all respondents specified the interviews were "never" videotaped: sheriffs (41.5%), MSP (38.1%), and municipal (73.6%). The phrasing of the law is that a videotaped statement nay;be taken, leaving the decision to the discretion of the police and/or prosecutors. A couple of reasons for the high incidence of respondents ”never" videotaping child sexual abuse victims' statements could be that money was not made available by the legislature to the police departments in 54 order to implement the plan and/or prosecutors may feel a videotaped statement could be damaging to the child's case. Survey Question 29 asked, ”To what degree do you feel the stress upon a child victim is lessened due to a videotaped statement being taken during the investigation stage?" The responses from which the police administrators could select were: "Greatly reduced," "Somewhat reduced," "No difference," "Somewhat increased,” "Greatly increased,” and "Not applicable to your agency." The percentages cited are based upon the surveys returned which did not specify that videotaping was not applicable to their agency. Michigan State Police respondents had the greatest percentage of returns indicating the stress upon child victims to be either "greatly reduced" or "somewhat reduced" (68.3%), followed by 55.6% of responding sheriffs. Forty- one percent (40.9%) of responding municipal departments perceive the stress upon the child to be "greatly reduced" or "somewhat reduced due to a videotaped statement being taken during the investigation stage. When the response choice of "no difference' (in the amount of stress to the child victim) was combined for a cumulative response rate with the two categories of "greatly reduced" and "somewhat reduced," the difference between the municipal and the two other agency types becomes more pronounced. One-half (50.0%) of municipal respondents found videotaping to either "greatly reduce," "somewhat reduce," or to make "no difference" on the degree of stress 55 experienced by the child victim. Michigan State Police and sheriffs were much more optimistic in their perception of the child's stress being either "greatly reduced," "somewhat reduced" or "no difference" in the child's stress level due to a videotaped statement being taken: MSP (92.7%) and sheriffs (88.9%). Police administrators were asked how their agencies could improve their investigations of child sexual abuse cases (Survey Question 39). The options from which the respondents could choose and the incidence of their positive responses are shown in Table 4.10. TABLE 4.10 Ways to Improve Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse Cases Mean Sheriffs MSP Municipal LIE. Z Z Z Z Additional training re: dynamics of child sexual abuse 73.6 76.2 79.2 76.3 Additional training re: crisis intervention 71.7 68.3 69.8 69.8 Cross-training with other agencies 62.3 55.6 45.3 54.4 Better notification procedures between your agency and ' Protective Services ‘ .- 43.4 34.9 32.1 36.7 Better communication between other services providers and _ your agency 54.7 44.4 32.1 43.8 More clear definition of "person responsible for child's health or welfare" 30.2 22.2 17.0 23.1 Multidisciplinary team approach 34.0 41.3 37.7 37.9 Respondents were requested to check all response choices which applied. The two broad categories which were represented by the five leading responses were training and 56 interagency issues. The five most frequently indicated responses are presented below in Figure 4.1. FIGURE 4.1 ' FIVE MOST COMMONLY IDENTIFIED WAYS TO IMPROVE LAW ENFORCEMENTS INVESTIGATION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE re: dynamics of child 3 Al: 3 WW 1 //4 Additional training ”-2;th . . . -. re: crisis intervention '-"" ' mmmmmmmm a , e ......................... Better communication ........... withotherservice M providers Legend Multidisciplinary - Shcfiffs Municipal ‘53:"? :4 €9.72; 113.5%. .""V'-..-o‘a¢.. .".I‘0Vv’ 'g“ ’0‘. ... '.‘ V / //////i 0 20 40 60 80 100 Percentage of Respondents 57 The three leading responses (each response having a mean response rate of greater than 50%) involved training: (a) regarding the dynamics of child sexual abuse (76.3%), (b) additional training in crisis intervention skills (69.8%), and (c) cross-training with other agencies regarding each other's roles in relation to child sexual abuse incidents (54.4%). The cross-training response falls into both the training and interagency issues categories. The two other interagency issues identified as ways to improve responding agencies' ways of investigating child sexual abuse were better communication between other service providers and the law enforcement agency (43.8%), and a multidisciplinary team approach to responding to child sexual abuse cases (37.9%). The above percentages cited reflect the mean percentage of responses received. Table 4.11 (see next page) itemizes five variables pertaining to interagency issues and depicts the responses by agency type for the reader's ease in making comparisons. In regard to the issue of the team interviewing with service providers outside of law enforcement (Survey Question 17), 17% of responding sheriffs indicated team interviews were “always" conducted. Five percent (4.8%) of .MSP respondents indicated team interviews were "always" (conducted, and 11.3% of the municipal respondents specified team interviews were ”always" conducted. These numbers are discouragingly low when considering that team interviews 58 TABLE 4.11 INCIDENCE OF POSITIVE RESPONSES FOR FIVE VARIABLES PERTAINING TO INTERAGENCY ISSUES Mean L.E. Agency Variable % SHERIFFS (017) Team interviews: always 17.0% Team interviews: sometimes 11.1% 88.7 (018) Representation on task force/ coalition 52.9 (Q39c) Cross-training with other agencies 62.3 (Q39e) Better communication with other service providers 54.7 (0399) Multidisciplinary team approach 34.0 MSP (017) Team interviews: always 4.8% Team interviews: sometimes fiing 85.7 (Q18) Representation on task force/ coalition 65.1 (Q39c) Cross-training with other agencies 55.6 (Q39e) Better communication with other service providers 44.4 (0399) Multidisciplinary team approach 41.3 MUNICIPAL (Q17) Team interviews: always 11.3% Team interviews: sometimes 50‘11 71.7 (018) Representation on task force/ coalition 34.0 (039C) Cross-training with other agencies 45.3 (O39e) Better communication with other service providers 32.1 (0399) Multidisciplinary team approach 37.7 CUMULATIVE L.E. % (017) Team interviews: always 10.7% Team interviews: sometimes 11‘61, 82.2 (018) Representation on task force/ coalition 51.5 (Q39c) Cross-training with other agencies 54.4 (Q39e) Better communication with other service providers 43.8 (0399) Multidisciplinary team approach 37.9 59 would reduce the number of victim interviews, resulting in less system-induced stress upon the child and inconvenience to the family. The low percentage of total respondents (37.9%) identifying "a multidisciplinary team approach to responding to cases of child sexual abuse" as a way to improve their agency's investigation of child sexual abuse cases can in part, be explained because some agencies already utilize a team approach (Survey Question 39). Some respondents noted that to them, a multidisciplinary team response was not a way their agency could improve its investigation because this was something already being done. Respondents were also asked about whether their agency had representation on an interagency task force (or coalition) where child sexual abuse issues were discussed (Survey Question 18). The responses from which they could choose were ”yes" or ”no.” Of the three agency types, the MSP respondents (65.1%) most frequently indicated representation on a task force or coalition than did sheriffs (52.9%) or municipal (34.0%). Because of the organizational nature of the Michigan Department of State Police and the number of sworn staff, there is a greater opportunity within MSP than there is within municipal police departments (and possibly sheriffs departments) to specialize in child sexual abuse cases. As Table 4.11 (above) illustrates, the municipal police departments had the lowest incidence of positive responses 60 in four out of five variable areas pertaining to interagency issues. The municipal departments are not part of a larger network, and each municipality is an entity unto itself. Each municipal agency gets its funding from its governmental entity (i.e., city council), and priorities for expenditures must be set. In a municipal agency, child sexual abuse may have low priority because of the infrequency of occurrence of these kinds of cases or because such cases are referred to other law enforcement agencies for investigation. Chapter 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The crime of child sexual abuse not only affects the victimized child but his or her family as well. Families can pay a heavy emotional price because of their child's victimization; and when the perpetrator is a family member, the family unit itself may be at risk of disintegrating. As a first responder to reports of child sexual abuse, police officers are thrown into the midst of these dynamics. As a result, police officers become crisis interveners in addition to being law enforcement investigators. Their mandated responsibility in investigating the allegations is to determine whether a crime has been committed and by whom. They also have an unwritten responsibility to the victims and their families to not cause them further harm. There are some steps police officers can take which actually benefit victims and their families. These steps include normalizing the abuse to the children (i.e., telling children they are not the only children to have been abused in this way), relieving victims of the responsibility for the abuse (telling children it's not their fault), and making counseling service providers known to the family. Parents may be in need of a safe place to vent their emotions regarding the sexual victimization of their child. The child may also need an external support system if 61 62 support is not available to him or her within the family. Counseling intervention in the short term may reduce or eliminate the need for long-term psychotherapy years later. As first responders, police officers are in a key position to provide immediate, temporary support and to advise parents of other support resources available in their community. In Michigan it appears children are more likely to ”always" hear from investigators that the children are not to blame for their victimization (89.9%, mean percent) than they are to hear that other children have also been abused (42.3%, mean percent). Bo;h_ facts are important for children to hear. This information alone, can immediately reduce some of the stress upon children as a result of their victimization. Police officers may be unaware of the positive impact sharing this information can have upon child victims. Through in-service training the importance of providing this information to child victims as standard operating procedure can be stressed. Training When the police administrators were asked how their agencies could improve their investigations of child sexual abuse cases, training was a key issue. The police administrators who participated in this study identified most frequently the need for additional training for investigators in crisis intervention skills. Police Mix;— .57 63 officers who understand the dynamics of child sexual abuse and the reactions of children and their parents to sexual victimization will be in a better position to integrate the role of "on-the-scene therapist" into the investigative role. The second and third most frequently identified ways to improve their agencies' investigation of child sexual abuse cases also identified training: additional training regarding crisis intervention and cross-training with other agencies. These results indicate that in addition to recognizing the individual and personal interactions police officers have with victims and victims' families, the law enforcement community also recognizes they are one of potentially many responders to a report of child sexual abuse. The awareness of being part of a systems response is reflected by respondents indicating the following as ways their agencies could improve their child sexual abuse investigations (Survey Question 39): cross-training with other agencies, better communication with other service providers, and a multidisciplinary team approach to responding to child sexual abuse cases. Child sexual abuse is one of the most sensitive and intimate crimes a police officer will ever have to investigate. Selecting the training topics regarding the dynamics of child sexual abuse and crisis intervention skills as leading choices for improving their agencies' 64 investigations suggests a priority of and commitment to the victim and victim's family. 8W As part of a witness protection package, the two following laws became effective in Michigan upon the Governor's approval on June 8, 1987: P.A. 1987, No. 44 which covers criminal court actions, and P.A. 1987, No. 45 which covers probate court actions Both laws have a provision to allow videotape statements of child victims to be taken "in order to avoid excessive questioning of a witness”--"witness" being defined as: an alleged victim of any of the offenses listed under subsection (2) who is either of the following: a person under 15 years of age a person 15 years of age or older with a developmental disability The above laws do not specify that a videotaped statement shall be taken, but rather that a videotaped statement may be taken in order to avoid excessive questioning of a witness. Forty-one percent (40.6%) of all law enforcement respondents indicated that videotaping children's statements was not applicable to their agency: sheriffs (32.1%), MSP (33.3%), and municipal (56.6%). As discussed earlier, some possible explanations for not videotaping the child's statement include the prosecutor's preference not to 65 videotape at all because a videotape may be more detrimental than helpful to the child's case, or money was not made available by the legislature to implement videotaping. Of the three agency types, it appears only the municipal police departments might choose not to videotape because they feel the videotaping itself either "somewhat increases” or "greatly increases" stress upon child victims as indicated by 45.5% of the municipal respondents. Another Michigan law, the Child Protection Law, mandates interagency communication. The law in effect at the time this study was undertaken specified: MCLA 722.628, Sec. 8(3): In conducting its investigation, the department (of social services) shall seek the assistance of and cooperate within 24 hours after becoming aware that 1 or more of the following conditions exist: (b) the child is the victim of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation (e) the alleged perpetrator of the child's injury is not a person responsible for the child's health or welfare At the time of this study, the Child Protection Law defined ”sexual abuse" as: engaging in sexual contact or sexual penetration as defined in section 520a of the Michigan penal code. Act No. 328 of the Public Acts of 1931, being section 750. 520A of the Michigan Compiled Laws, with a child WM: Wt: (underline added) MCLA 722.623, Sec. 3(1) requires that a law enforcement officer who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse (which includes sexual abuse) or neglect shall immediately, by telephone or otherwise, make an oral report or cause an 66 oral report to be made, of the suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Services. The results of this study show that in the perception of less than 70% (68.6%) of all police respondents, their agency was "always" notified by Child Protective Services within 24 hours after CPS became aware that a child was the victim of suspected sexual abuse by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare. On the other hand, 91% (90.5%) of all police respondents indicated CPS was notified by their agency when the law enforcement agency was first to receive a report of child sexual abuse by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare. One possible explanation for the lower cross- notification by Child Protective Services to law enforcement is that law enforcement agencies other than the agency responding to the survey receive the child sexual abuse report (e.g., CPS notifies the sheriff's department or Michigan State Police instead of the municipal police department). Cross-notification is required by law, and a finding of less than a 100% affirmative response suggests Child Protective Services and law enforcement are not in compliance with the law. There may be alternative explanations to dispute the suggestion of non-compliance, and that is why further research into this topic is recommended. 67 The cross-reporting of child sexual abuse cases, as mandated by the Child Protection Law, allows the first opportunity for team interviewing with CPS and law enforcement representatives. Their purposes may differ somewhat in that law enforcement is investigating to determine whether there is enough evidence to substantiate that a crime was committed, and Child Protective Services is investigating to determine whether the child will continue to be at risk if left in the home. Even though the purpose of the interview differs between CPS and law enforcement, the information sought during the interview with the child is similar (Mehren & Egner, 1990). The author recommends making arrangements for team interviews at the time cross-notification is made. Although multiple interviews cannot be entirely eliminated due to the multidisciplinary response engendered by reports of child sexual abuse, the number of interviews can__be__rgdnged through interagency coordination and cooperation. There are no good excuses for children being interviewed an excessiye, number of times. Keeping the number of victim interviews at a minimum is one way to prevent the child from being revictimized by the system. Practitioners and academics alike encourage a team approach to investigating child sexual abuse cases because a team approach reduces the number of interviews a child must undergo, and team review enhances information sharing among agencies. As Mehren and Egner (1990) summarized: 68 A planned, structured and coordinated interdis- ciplinary team response to child sexual abuse provides service agency staff an opportunity to accomplish agency goals and to preserve the best interests of the child (p. 31). WW From the results of this study, it appears that the sheriffs departments and Michigan State Police had a higher incidence of positive responses to variables relating to interagency issues than did the municipal police departments. Due to the nature of a descriptive study, reasons for the difference remain unclear. This is an area in need of further study. The issue of videotaping also warrants further investigation. One area to address pertains to the perceived stress upon the child victim due to a videotaped statement being taken. Few of the sheriffs respondents (11.1%) or MSP respondents (7.3%) perceived the stress to the child to be increased as a result of videotaping, compared to 45.5% of municipal respondents. There may be several underlying factors for this difference, but without further research all we can do is speculate. An additional area of the videotaping issue recommended for further study is to explore why so few police departments in Michigan have adopted this method of electronically recording the statements of child sexual abuse victims. Because videotaping has been mentioned as a medium for information sharing with other agencies for purposes of team 69 review, the author recommends reviewing case dispositions in jurisdictions where videotaping of child sexual abuse victims is done regularly. A state-wide, systems survey regarding child sexual abuse was conducted in Michigan by Mehren and Egner (1990) of the following criminal justice system and human services system providers: law enforcement agencies, prosecutors offices, probate court, circuit court, child protective services, community mental health, and public health. A more in-depth analysis across agencies could provide valuable information regarding interagency issues. As Cramer (1985) pointed out, when the criminal justice system and human services system make a commitment to the best interests of the child by adopting a multidisciplinary, child-focused program, not only does the child benefit but the system does as well. APPENDICES APPENDIX A Law Enforcement Survey LAW ENFORCEMENT SURVEY How many sworn personnel at your departrnent? Persons What is the approximate number of reported cases of child sexual abuse in your jurisdiction since January 1, 1988 (include incestuous and non-incestuous incidents): Cases Of the cases reported in Question 2 (above), about what percentage were mm in nature? ‘bofcases Of the cases reported in Question 2 (above), about what percentage were nan; mum in mane? ‘5 of cases Does your department have at least one person who specializes in cases of child sexual abuse? ( ) Yes ‘ ( ) No (If ”No," go to Question 6) 5A. if ’ es" to Question 5 (above), how are your investigators of child sexual abuse selected for that position? (Check all that apply.) ( ) request for position ( ) appointed by command officer ( ) designated on an aeoneeded basis ( ) other (please specify): 58. if “Yes" to Question 5 (above), what is the average length of time an officer remains in the child sexual abuse investigation unit? (Please estimate.) / years/months Whattypeofinfcrnmticndoyoumedfromchild victimsregardingsexualabuse incidents? (Check all that apply.) )lschildphysicallyiniured )Natureofabuse ) Details d the incident ) Name of offender ) Description of offender ) Relationship of offender to child ) Where did incident occur ) Were witnesses present ) Has offender attempted this before with child ) Has anyone else ever sexually abused child ) Other (specify): AAAAAAAAAAA 70 10. 11. 12. Does Protective Services routinely notify your agency within 24 hours after becoming aware that a child is the victim of suspected sexual abuse by a person responsible? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never Does Protective Services routinely notify your agency within 24 hours when they become aware of a child’s sexual abuse by a person NOT responsible? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never When your agency is the first agency to receive a report of child sexual abuse by a person responsible, Protective Services is notified: ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never (If ”No," go to Question 10) 9A. if ’ es’flor “Sometimes" to Question 9 (above), how frequently is a Protective Services caseworker with the investigator during the initial interview of the child? ( ) Always ( ) Frequently ( ) Sometimes ( ) Rarely ( ) Never Whenyouragencyis the firstagency toreceiveareportofchild sexuaiabusebya person responsible, an agency other than Protective Services is notified: ( ) Yes (specify): ( ) No, neither Protective Services nor any other agency is notified Have your Prosecuting Attorney and local Department of Social Services worked together to provide your agency with written procedures regarding law enforcement’s involvement in investigating cases of child sexual abuse by a person resporuible? ()Yes ()No Have your Prosecuting Attorney and local Department of Social Services worked together to provide your agency withwritten procedures regarding law enforcement’s involvement in investigating cases of child sexual abuse by a person NOT respomible? 71 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Does your agency have written policies for responding to non-incestuous cases of child sexual abuse incidents? ()Yes ()No Does your agency have written procedures for responding to non-incestuous cases of child sexual abuse incidents? ()Yes ()No ' What is your agency/s interpretation of ”by a person responsible for the child’s health or welfare"? (Check all that apply.) it” 3 Our agency does not interact directly with Protective Services AAAAA vvvvv Do any other service providers outside of law enforcement interview the child sexual abuse victim during law enforcement's interview(s)? ( ) Yes,aiways ( ) Sometimes ( ) No,never af“No," gotoQuestion 18) 17A. if "Yes" or “Sometimes" to Question 17 (above), representatives fromwhatotheragenclesmaybeinvolved inteamlnterviewing? (Check all that apply.) ) ProtectiveServices . ) Prosecutor’sOffice ‘ ) Mental Health ) Public Health ) Hospitals ) Schools ) Probate/JuvenileCourt ) Circuit Court ) Other police/sheriffs' departments ) Other(3pedfy): AAAAAAAAAA 72 18. 19. Does your agency have a representative on an interagency task force (or coalition) where child sexual abuse issues are discussed? ( )Y ( ) No (If “No", go to Question 19) 18A. if ' es" to Question 18 (above), what other service providers are also represented on the task force? (Check all that apply.) ) Prosecutor’s Office (Prosecutor’s representative) ) Prosecutor’s Office (Victim/ Witness representative) ) Protective Services ) Doctor(s) ) PsychologisKS) ) Child Abuse 8: Neglect Council ) Church(es) ) Crisis intervention Center(s) ) Schooi(s) ) Probate Court ) Circuit Court ) Other(specify): AAAAAAAAO‘AAA 188. if ' es" to Question 18 (above), how frequently does the Task Force/ Coalition meet? ( )Morethanonceamonth ( )Onceamonth ( )Quarteriy ( )Twiceayear ( )Onceayear ( ) 18C. if "Yes" to Question 18 (above), of what value has the association with that task force/coalition been for your agency? (Check only one.) ( ) Great Value ( ) SomeVaiue ( ) Little Value ( ) No Value What do you find the most valuable information exchange with Protective Services regarding child sexual abuse cases? (Check only one.) ( )Writtencorrespondence ( )‘l‘eiephonecalis ( )ln-personmeetings ( )Other(spedfy): What do you find the most valuable information exchange with the Prosecqu Office regarding child sexual abuse cases? (Check only one.) Written correspondence Telephone calls ) ) ) in-person meetings ) Other(spedfy): 73 21. 24. What do you find the most valuable information exchange with examining physicians regarding child sexual abuse cases? (Check only one.) ( ) Written correspondence ( ) Telephone calls - ( ) in-person meetings ( ) Other (specify): What do you find the most valuable information exchange with mental health professionals regarding child sexual abuse cases? (Check only one.) C‘) Written correspondence ( ) Telephone calls ( ) ln-person meetings ( ) Other (specify): What agencies might be contacted by your agency in the event of a child sexual abuse incident that is non-incestuous in nature? (Check all that apply.) ) Other law enforcement agencies ) Protective Services ) Prosecutor's Office ) Community Mental Health ) Public Health Department ) Hospitals ) Rape Crisis Centers ) Other (specify): AAAAAAAA What agencies might be contacted by your agency in the event of a child sexual abuse incident that is incestuous in nature? (Check all that apply.) ) Other law enforcement agencies Protective Services Prdsecutor’s Office Public Health Department ( ( ) .( ) ()CommunityMentall-iealth ( ) () ( Where is law enforcement’s initial interview of the child usually conducted? (Check only one.) ( )Child'shorne . ( )Someoneeise’shome ~(- ) Law enforcement agency ) Protective Services office Doctor’s office Other (specify): ( () ()Hospital () ls [are the investigator(s) in uniform during the initial interview with the child sexual abuse victim? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) 74 27. 28. 29. 31. Are cases assigned to special investigatods) following an initial interview by the responding officer? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never (If ”No," go to Question 28) 27A. lf ’ es” to Question 27 (above), are subsequent interviews conducted while the investigator is in uniform? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never How often do your investigators videotape statements of child victims of sexual abuse? To what degree do you feel the stress upon a child victim of sexual abuse is lessened due to a videotaped statement being taken during the investigation stage? ( ) Greatly reduced ( ) Somewhat reduced ( ) No difference ( ) Somewhat increased ( ) Greatly increased ( ) Not applicable to your agency In conducting interviews with child victims of sexual abuse which are non-incestuous in nature, do your investigators prefer to interview the child while the child's parents are in - the room? (Check only one.) ( )Yaalways ( )Sometimes ( )No,never in conducting interviews with child victims of sexual abuse which are incestuous in nature, do your investigators prefer to interview the child while the child’s parents are in the room? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( )No,never 75 32. 33. 35. 37. While conducting their investigation, how do your investigators help to relax the child who has been abused by an out-of-home perpetrator? (Check all that apply.) ) Tell child he or she is not the only child to have been abused in such way ) Talk to child using child's terminology for intimate body parts ) Talk to child at the child's eye level ) Talk to child with parent(s)/guardian(s) in the room ) interview child at child's home ) interview child away from the home ) lnvestigatods) wear street clothes during interview ) Other (specify): AAAAAAAA Do your investigators of child sexual abuse cases phrase questions using the child's terminology for intimate body parts? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never Do your investigators tell child sexual abuse victims that they (the children) are not responsible for the sexual abuse incident? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never Do your investigators tell child sexual abuse victims that they are not the only children who have been sexually abused? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never Do your investigators of child sexual abuse cases receive training in crisis intervention? ( )Yes,always ( )Sornetimes ( )No,never Do your investigators of child sexual abuse cases routinely ask whether the offender photographed the child victim? ( )Yes,inailcases ( )Yes,ifthereiscausetobelievephotographsmayhavebeentaken ( )No,questionisneverasked Overall, are cases in which children have been sexually exploited investigated as thoroughly as cases in which children have been sexually abused? ()Yes ()No 76 39. 41. How could your agency improve its investigation of child sexual abuse uses? (Check all that apply.) ( ) Additional training for investigators about the dynamics of child sexual abuse ( ) Additional training for investigators in crisis intervention skills ( ) Cross-training with other agencies regarding each other's roles in relation to child sexual abuse incidents ( ) Better notification procedures between your agency and Protective Services regarding reporting of child sexual abuse cases ( ) Better communication between other service providers and your agency ( ) More clear definition of what is meant by a “person responsible for the child's health or welfare" ( ) A multi-discipiinary team approach to responding to uses of child sexual abuse Do your investigators call the hospital before taking a child victim of sexual abuse there? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never When investigator(s) refer child sexual abuse victims to hospitals, does the hospital keep the investigatods) advised of the examination results? ( ) Always ( ) Frequently ( ) Sometimes ( ) infrequently ( ) Never ( ) Not appiiubie to your agency What agencies in your jurisdiction provide victim support services to child victims of sexual abuse? (Check all that apply.) ) Law enforcement ) Depath of Social Services ) Prosecutor’s Office ) Department of Mental Health ) Courts ) Nonoaffiliated support groups ) Churches ) Civic groups ,) Crisis intervention centers ) Other (spedfyh AAAAAAAAAA Do your investigators routinely give the parent(s) of child sexual abuse victims the address oftheCrimeVictimsCompensationnoardifthechild had recievedmphysiuiinjuriesasa resultoftheabuse? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never (if “No," go to Question 45) 77 44. Do your investigators routinely give the parent(S) of child sexual abuse victims the address of the Crime Victim’s compensation Board if the child received physical injuries as a result of the abuse? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never (if “No," go to Question 45) 44A. if you answered ‘ es" or “Sometimes” to Question 43 or 44 (above), how are parents of a child sexual abuse victim informed by your investigators of the address of the Crime Victims Compensa- tion Board? (Check all that apply.) ( ) investigator supplies child victim’s parent(s) with a printed sheet of referrals ( ) investigator dictates the address of the Crime Victims Compensation Board to victim’s parent(s) ( ) investigator discusses the role of the Crime Victims Compensation Board ( ) Other (specify): 45. How are parent(s) of a child sexual abuse victim informed by your investigators of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program available through the Prosecutor’s Office? (Check all that apply.) ( ) investigator supplies child victim's parent(s) with a printed sheet of referral nu ( ) investigator dictates the phone number and address of the Prosecutor’s Office to victim's parent(s) ( ) investigator discusses the role of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program ( ) Other (specify): ( ) Parent(s) are not informed of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program 46. Are counseling service providers made known to parents of child sexual abuse victims by your investigators? ( ) Yes, always ( ) Sometimes ( ) No, never (If “No,” go to Question 47) 46A. if “Yes" or "Sometimes” to Question 46 (above), how are counselingreferralsmadebyyourinvestigatorstoparentsofchild sexual abuse victims? (Check all that apply.) ( ) investigator supplies child victim's parent(s) with a printed sheet of referral sheet of phone numbers ( ) investigator dictates counseling service providers and their phone numbers to parent(s) ( ) investigator discusses with parent(s) the services provided by each of the referral agendes ( ) Other (specify): 78 47. ‘ Have your investigators received any training about the responsibilities of the following service providers in cases of child sexual abuse? (Check all that apply.) ) Protective Services ) Medical profession ) Prosecutor’s Office (Prosecutor‘s responsibilities) ) Prosecu tor’ 3 Office (Victim/Witness Assistance Program) ) Crime Victims Compensation Board ) Mental Health ) Circuit Court ) Probate/Juvenile Court AAAAAAAA 48. What seems to work well in your agency’s approach to investigating child sexual abuse cases? (Check all that apply.) ) Use of anatomically-correct dolls ) Investigator same sex as child ) investigator opposite sex as child ) investigator same sex as perpetrator ) investigator opposite sex as perpetrator ) Snacks for child to eat ) interviewing child in his or her own home ) interviewing child without parent(s) in room ) interviewing child with parent(s) in room ) Using child’s own terminology for intimate body parts ) Videotaping interview with child sexual abuse victim ) Interviewing child away from his or her home ) investigator conducting interview at the same eye level as child ) investigator uses child's own terminology for intimate body parts ) Other Specify): AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 49. Please feel free to comment on any aspect of this research. Attach additional pages as needed. 79 APPENDIX B Researcher's Cover Letter Researcher's Cover Letter January 27, 1989 Dear ‘PS‘: This survey is to gain intonation about child sexual abuse incidents. Such incidents may require the response of law enforcement only or of multiple service providers. Project LINK research staff, a project contracted by the Department of Social Services, is conducting research to determine how the different service providers across Michigan are responding to child sexual abuse incidents and what is being done to prevent revictimization of child sexual abuse victims by the system. The law enforcement component of the research focuses on four issues: . How law enforcement officers respond to child victims of sexual abuse. . How law enforcement agencies interact with other service providers when child sexual abuse incidents occur. . How the Child Protection Law and the Crime Victims Rights Act are being implemented. . Type of training received by police officers who investigate child sexual abuse cases. In addition to requesting input from all county sheriffs, all Michigan State Police Post Commanders, and 100 randomly selected Police Chiefs in Michigan, surveys unique to each of the following service providers will be sent: Department of Social Services, Prosecutors' Offices, Mental Health, Public Health, Probate Court, and Circuit Court. How these agencies interact is vital to this research. The identity of the responding agencies will remain absolutely confidential, however. Results will be reported in aggregate form only which will not permit associating subjects with specific responses or findings. 80 Page 2 January 27, 1989 The information we gain will be valuable in establishing a data base for how each group of service providers respond to cases of child sexual abuse, the degree of inter-agency service coordination by county, and how current laws are being implemented. Such an analysis will enable us to address the following: policy issues, inter-agency coordination, minimizing revictimization of the child by the system, and in-service training. A self-addressed, stamped envelope has been enclosed for your convenience. If you have any questions or if further clarification is needed, please call me at (517) 487-1755 or write me at the address below: Mary Egner, Research Specialist Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service 109 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933 Phone: (517) 487-1755 Your participation is strictly voluntary. You may indicate your willingness to participate by completing and returning the enclosed survey. No further time commitment is requested of you beyond that needed to complete the survey. Your cooperation in returning the survey by February 15 is appreciated. Sincerely, Mary B. Egner Research Specialist Enclosures (2): Questionnaire Return Envelope 81 APPENDI X C Followup Letter Followup Letter December 16, 1988 ‘F1‘ ‘F2‘ ‘F3‘ ‘P4‘ Dear Sheriff ‘PS‘: Earlier this month you were sent a survey about child sexual abuse incidents. As of this date, your response remains outstanding. This letter is to remind you that your cooperation in returning your completed questionnaire by the end of the year will be appreciated. Please send the completed survey to my attention at the address below: Mary Egner, Research Specialist Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service 109 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933 Your contribution to this research effort is appreciated. If your survey has already been mailed, please consider this letter as one of thanks. Sincerely, Mary B. Egner Research Specialist MBE/las 82 BI BLI OGRAPHY 322115. Ageton. S. (1983). W- Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath 5 Company. American Psychological Association. (1983). Publication (3rd ed.). 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