Abstract
Six-year-old Emily was sexually abused by a neighbor on several occasions. After learning of the incidents, Emily's parents reported the abuser to the local police. The police arrested the individual and charged him with sexually molesting a minor. The prosecutor handling the matter believed that he had a solid case and could secure conviction of the defendant if Emily testified. Emily, however, had suffered severe emotional trauma from the sexual assault and her psychologist strongly advised Emily's parents not to permit her to testify in court because such an experience could delay or even prevent her recovery. As a result, Emily did not testify and the prosecutor was forced to drop the case.
Recommended Citation
Wixom, Michael B.
(1986)
""Videotaping the Testimony of an Abused Child:
Necessary Protection for the Child or Unwarranted
Compromise of the Defendant's Constitutional
Rights","
Utah Law Review: Vol. 1986:
No.
3, Article 4.
Available at:
https://dc.law.utah.edu/ulr/vol1986/iss3/4