Unequal justice

The number of allegations concerning sexual abuse of children continues to rise, but there has been little concrete, systematic information about the legal consequences. Who is sent to criminal court for sexually abusing children? What happens to the cases once they are there? On what basis are jurors making their decisions in these cases? Are they swayed by experts who give information about abused children and their typical behaviors? How reliable is the medical evidence? How do technological advances such as videotaped testimony affect the outcome of a trial? Drawing on the findings of the…