The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse as Seen Through the Eyes of Judges

The involvement of Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) in cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) is complex and intimidating. There are legal rules and academic suggestions to guide the MHP in this endeavor, but in experience, these rules and suggestions are lacking. Current literature and research indicates that there is little if any direct knowledge on how judges perceive MHPs who testify before them in court. A qualitative phenomenological inquiry that directly interviefive judges about their perceptions of MHPs in cases of CSA was undertaken. The results indicate that MHPs should be more intentional about their choices regarding involvement in court, more proactive about educating the legal system regarding MHP involvement, more willing to advocate within the system for the best interest of the child, and more confident about the significance of MHP involvement in CSA cases.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D. in Psychology

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Etheridge, S. Lynn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Marilyn S. Snow
• Kevin Stoltz
• Timothy D. Letzring

• Child Abuse
• Courtroom
• Judicial Perception
• Mental Health Professional
• Testimony
• Witness
• Counseling Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/102

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:egrove.olemiss.edu:etd-1101