Assessing Allegations of Sexual Abuse in Preschool Children

Written to give the front line practitioner help in assessing and managing allegations of sexual abuse cases with children from the ages of 18 months to six years old, Small Voices provides concrete and easily understood information about basic child development, interview procedures, and case management theory. Case examples throughout this book combine a hands-on approach with child development theory and research. Extensive experience is integrated with research findings in a detailed and practical manner to provide:

• An overview of child development information as it applies to interviewing young children
• A protocol for assessment of preverbal children that is grounded in theory and research
• A format for assessment of children from three to five years old
• A review of the strengths and weaknesses of some current interview formats
• A technique for structured interviewing that surveys a range of touching
• A procedure for structured reunification of a child and alleged abuser after unproven allegations