Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: Factors That Influence the Legal Disposition of Child Sexual Abuse Cases

Abstract

The prosecution files of 350 child sexual abuse cases in Ector County (Odessa), Texas, were examined to determine the influence the child's age, relationship to the alleged offender, interval between initial occurrence and reporting of abuse, presence or absence of medical evidence, and presence or absence of a statement by the accused had on the subsequent prosecution and conviction of offenders. The victim's age and relationship to the suspect had no impact on the legal outcome. There was a greater likelihood of prosecution and conviction in cases in which medical evidence and/or a statement by the offender were available and a shorter interval existed between occurrence and reporting.