Describing Coercion in the Courtroom: The Influence of Language and Maltreatment Severity on Jurors’ Perceptions of Child Witnesses

Breanne E. Wylie, Stacia N. Stolzenberg, Angela D. Evans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Regardless of compliance to coercion by an alleged perpetrator, child maltreatment is abuse in any form. However, the extent to which coercion is described as an obligation (mandatory compliance) or permission (optional compliance) is legally relevant. The present investigation examined how attorneys question children about coercion and how children describe coercion in courtroom investigations of alleged child sexual abuse, and whether such language influences jurors’ perceptions of children’s testimony. Study 1 assessed 64 transcripts of children’s testimonies and revealed that both attorneys and children use coercive language. Problematically, terms of permission were used when describing sexual abuse, potentially implying compliance was optional. Study 2 presented 160 adults with transcript excerpts, varied by coercive language (obligation or permission) and maltreatment type (sexual abuse or punishment). Coercive language influenced perceptions of coercion and whether the adult was to blame. Maltreatment type influenced perceptions of severity, credibility, and verdict. Overall, coercive language and maltreatment type influence perceptions of how the event unfolded.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalChild Maltreatment
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2023

Keywords

  • adult perception
  • child sexual abuse
  • child testimony
  • coercive language
  • obligation
  • permission

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Describing Coercion in the Courtroom: The Influence of Language and Maltreatment Severity on Jurors’ Perceptions of Child Witnesses'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this