Order Code: AAC
Price: $64.95
400pp. 1996
ISBN:
1568870094
ISBN13:
9781568870090

Reviews

"This book is destined to become the defacto standard reference for child sexual abuse assessment.  It will be widely used by attorneys and forensic experts to review and assess the thoroughness and scientific validity of forensic child sexual abuse evaluations.  Any clinician not familiar with the content will be unprepared for cross-examination and subject to considerable embarrassment on the witness stand."
     -Gerald P. Koocher, PhD, Chief Psychologist, Children's Hospital, Boston; Associate Professor of Psychology,
Harvard Medical School reviewing for American Psychology - Law Society Newsletter by Division 41 of American
      Psychological Association

"In a field that sometimes seems awash in research findings, Kathryn Kuehnle has skillfully highlighted what is relevant, what is important, and what is useful for informing practice from the empirical literature.  This book is a remarkably concise, comprehensive and practical compilation of research to guide the evaluation process.  Equally noteworthy, it is a superb resource for preparing for court testimony."
     -Mark D. Everson, PhD, Director, Program on Childhood Trauma and Maltreatment, University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill

"Assessing Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse is a reflection of the author's uncommonly good common sense.  Dr. Kuehnle guides the reader through the clinical, scientific, and ethical minefields awaiting all who become involved in child abuse allegations.  This book is 'must reading' for any professional involved in evaluation, consultation, or expert testimony.  It deserves to reach a very wide audience."
     -Stephen J. Ceci, PhD, The Helen L. Carr Professor of Developmental Psychology, Cornell University

"This book is an example of what is all too infrequently available to mental health professionals.  This blending of theory, research, and clinical experience is a true example of the scientist-practitioner model of mental health practice.  Dr. Kuehnle first reviews pertinent research in the areas of developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and clinical psychology and makes clear the implications of theory and empirical findings for the clinical evaluator.  She then reviews the sexual abuse and sexual abuse evaluation literature, and offers empirically informed and practical guidelines and recommendations for the clinician examining children who are suspected of being sexually abused. Given its format and content areas, this volume will be of great value to both highly experienced and less experienced mental health professionals working in this field."
     -Randy K. Otto, PhD, ABPP, Assistant Professor, Department of Mental Health Law & Policy, Florida Mental
Health Institute, University of South Florida

"Being familiar with the field of assessment of child sexual abuse, I believe that there is no other book as scholarly and authoritative as Assessing Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse.  It achieves encyclopedic status.  It contains an unprecedented compendium of studies and statements from other professional sources, of which each receives careful analysis.  Dr. Kuehnle offers an invaluable integration of research and case studies, and sets forth practical guidelines that will be useful to any health care provider serving children and families."
     -Robert Henley Woody, PhD, ScD, JD, Professor of Psychology and Social Work and Director of School
Psychology Training, University of Nebraska, Omaha

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Elusive Numbers: Determining the Incidence and Prevalence of
                   Child Sexual Abuse

Chapter 2: Multiple Roles of the Mental Health Professional in Child Sexual
                   Abuse Cases

Chapter 3: Developmental Issues

Chapter 4: Children's Memory and the Issue of Suggestibility

Chapter 5: The Structure of the Interview

Chapter 6: Child Interview Techniques

Chapter 7: Development of Criteria for Assessing the Veracity of the Child's
                   Statements

Chapter 8: Child Interview Props - The Anatomical Dolls

Chapter 9: The Use of Standardized Observation Systems, Behavior Rating
                   Scales, and Projective Techniques in the Evaluation of Child Sexual
                   Abuse

Chapter 10: The Evaluation Process

Chapter 11: Final Comments

Appendices

References

Subject Index

About the Author

Kathryn F. Kuehnle, PhD,  is recognized as an expert in the assessment and treatment of sexually abused children.  Dr. Kuehnle, who received her doctorate from the University of Minnesota, is a licensed psychologist in independent practice in Tampa, Florida.  In her private practice, she specializes in the evaluation of children alleged to have been sexually abused and provides treatment to children, adolescents, and adults who are victims of sexual abuse.  She also consults to attorneys, the courts, health care professionals, educators, parents, and community agencies in specialty clinical areas related to child sexual abuse.  Dr. Kuehnle has made numerous media appearances and presentations to parents and teachers regarding child sexual abuse, parenting, and related topics.  Since the early 1980s, she has been recognized as an expert by the courts on issues related to physical abuse, sexual abuse, child neglect, and other child psychology matters.  She has authored or co-authored a number of publications including Child Custody Litigation: Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse and the Continuing Education program, Children Exposed to Domestic Violence.