The Influence of Caregiver Support and Child Advocacy Center Supportive Services in the Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse Cases

Background and Purpose: This study examined the role of caregiver support and supportive Child Advocacy Center (CAC) services in the investigation of child sexual abuse (CSA) cases. Factors associated with caregiver support were also explored to better understand underlying dynamics. In the investigation of CSA, disparate prosecution rates exist suggesting challenges in the decision-making process. Although research suggests that social support is influential to child health and life satisfaction, the potential influence on procedural outcomes may differ. Thus, an exploration of social support as demonstrated in caregiver responsivity to the child upon disclosure of sexual abuse and family interaction with CAC personnel is warranted.

Methods: This study used data from one Children’s Advocacy Center in a large Southern city. Through a mixed-methods design, data were sequentially linked in three phases (qualitative-quantitative-qualitative), incorporating 1) prosecutor perceptions of influential case elements, 2)100 case records and forensic interviews, and 3) in-depth prosecutor reviews of prosecuted cases. Content analysis was used to identify influential case elements, logistic regression modeling was used to determine factors associated with a decision to prosecute and factors associated with caregiver support, and framework analysis was used to further confirm and expand upon case factors.

A convenience sample of child sexual abuse cases (N=100) with reported disclosure statements were stratified based on prosecutor assignment and randomly selected such that half of the cases proceeded to prosecution (n=50) and half did not (n=50). Children in these cases were 27% African American, 46% Hispanic, 25% White and 2% Multiracial. Their mean age was 11.20 years and 45% were female. The prosecutors who participated in the study were White, aged 30 to 49 years, and 75% female.

Results: Overall, findings indicate that the investigation process, culminating in prosecution is most strongly predicted by caregiver support, the availability of other evidence, and family engagement in services (X²=59.05, df=3, p<.001; Nagelkerke R²=.595). In particular, caregiver support was associated with the relationship between the child and perpetrator, and child’s ethnicity. Families may engage in a wide range of services when involved in an investigation, but those whose cases were prosecuted tended to receive assistance with a crime victim compensation application, therapy at the CAC, and court advocacy.

Conclusions and Implications: The findings suggest that caregiver support and engagement in CAC services are experiences of social support that are influential to the investigation process. Further, caregiver support may be reflective of familial and culturally specific beliefs. As the decision to prosecute requires sorting through a complex interaction of individual, familial, and community factors, this analysis indicates that caregiver support of the child and prosecution process are important elements for pursuing criminal charges. Multidisciplinary professional teams may pursue opportunities to assist families interfacing with legal proceedings by engaging them throughout the process with helpful interactions and linkages to needed resources. Future studies could examine the cultural and family characteristics of support for different ethnic groups when involved in a CSA investigation.