Juror Knowledge of Child Sexual Abuse and The Role of Expert Witness Testimony

Juror Knowledge of Child Sexual Abuse and The Role of Expert Witness Testimony

Overview Accurate knowledge regarding the dynamics of child sexual abuse and the reliability of children’s eyewitness testimony is crucial for juror decision-making. However, if jurors harbor mistaken beliefs about how children respond to sexual abuse or are not aware of children’s ability to accurately describe their experiences, the likelihood of reaching a fair verdict is reduced….