Keywords
Abstract
Objective: In child sexual abuse cases, the absence of physical findings ad eyewitnesses often makes the victim’s statement the primary source of evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Criterion-Based Content Analysis (CBCA) in assessing the reliability of children’s statements and to identify factors associated with CBCA scores.
Methods: Child sexual abuse cases referred to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and subsequently to the Department of Forensic Medicine at Duzce University Faculty of Medicine between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023, were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-seven cases with complete records were included. Children’s statements were assessed using the CBCA Coding Manual.
Results: No significant relationship was found between total CBCA scores and age or gender. CBCA scores were significantly higher in children who exhibited psychiatric symptoms during the interview and in those who presented to child psychiatry after the incident. Higher scores were also observed in cases involving coercion, threats, or inducement. In incest cases, several criteria—including unexpected complications, distorted but accurately reported details, references to the child’s psychological state, excusing the perpetrator, and crime-specific details—were more frequently identified.
Conclusion: CBCA offers a structured approach for evaluating the coherence and credibility of children’s testimonies. When physical or laboratory findings are inconclusive, combining CBCA with detailed interviewing and forensic psychiatric assessment improves the objective evaluation of statements and supports more reliable judicial decision-making.
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