Putting kids first: Reaffirming universal strategies for accurate detection of child sexual abuse in child protection investigations

Abstract

To accurately detect child sexual abuse (CSA), universal investigative best practices require caseworkers to perform timely, thorough, and unbiased interviews utilizing evidence-based practices, synthesizing evidence gathered from medical forensic evaluation and assessment of caregiver and family dynamics, and knowledge of developmental nuances in the CSA disclosure process. Incomplete CSA investigations may lead to mistakenly classifying true allegations as unsubstantiated, leaving children at risk for re-victimization. This discussion paper focuses on a case review of 62 unsubstantiated CSA allegations in Pennsylvania, United States, to describe alignment with internationally-recognized investigative CSA best practices. We highlight three universal interrelated barriers to accurate CSA detection: 1) Untimely or absent forensic interviews and medical forensic examinations; 2) Failure to mitigate investigative interference of unprotective/nonbelieving caregivers; and 3) Biases in assessing child credibility, particularly in children with vulnerabilities. We use the highlighted investigative gaps in our review to reaffirm global CSA investigative best practices.