Legal outcomes for children who have been sexually abused: The impact of child abuse assessment center evaluations

Fifty children who were seen at a Child Abuse Assessment Center (CAAC) were matched on age and relationship to perpetrator with 51 children not evaluated at a CAA C to determine whether the groups differed in legal outcomes in cases of sexual abuse. CAA C children were significantly more likely to have cases filed rather than no-actioned, to have more overall counts charged in filed cases, to have more counts charged against biological fathers and stepfathers who were alleged perpetrators, and to have a greater number of defendants pleading or being found guilty compared to cases involving children not seen at the CAA C. There were also significantly more cases filed for 4- to 6-year-olds and children at least 12 years old if they were seen at the CAAC. The implications of the results are discussed in light of the use of CAACs.