Re: harm to children of multiple investigative interviews

["Brian Morgan" <brianmorgan@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Whether or not  the allegation is false is of course important. But the 
effect of repeated investigative
interviews can be measured irrespective of this.

The potential for harm caused by the latter can be set against the harm 
caused by whatever abuse is thought
to have happened.

In the UK the proof that abuse has occurred is judged on the balance of 
probabilities
not the forensic near certainty required in criminal cases.  It is 
sometimes impossible to be certain
that abuse has happened as claimed.  This ought not to impede research 
into the effects of investigations
of abuse on the children concerned.

Brian Morgan

Kathleen Coulborn Faller wrote:

> There is no research I am aware of that targets this population. One 
> of the obstacles is the difficulty of knowing with certainty that the 
> allegation is false.
>
> --On Friday, July 23, 2004 9:43 PM -0700 "Vincent H. Fish" 
> <vfish@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Dear Colleagues,
>>
>> I've been asked to comment on the possibility, given a child who in
>> reality has not been abused, that repeated investigative child abuse
>> interviews might eventually be emotionally harmful to such a child. Is
>> anyone aware of any data that touches at all on this issue?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Vince
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Vincent Fish, PhD, MSSW
>> Licensed Psychologist
>> 700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 220
>> Madison, Wisconsin  53711
>> 608-276-9191 fax: 608-276-9144
>> vfish@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
>
> Kathleen Coulborn Faller, Ph.D., A.C.S.W.
> University of Michigan
> Professor, School of Social Work
> Director, Family Assessment Clinic
> 1080 S. University Ave.
> Ann Arbor, MI. 48109-1106
> 734 998 9700
> 734 998 9710--FAX
> kcfaller@xxxxxxxxx
>
>