Investigating changes in the screening process for sexual abuse
OBJECTIVES : This study analyzes intake screening processes by Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies in child sexual abuse (CSA) cases as a way to investigate their influence on the recent decline in confirmed CSA cases. METHODS : A database of 53,848 children who came into contact with CPS agencies in Quebec (Canada) between 2002 and 2013 was used to determine the influence of administrative characteristics, report date, and the child’s characteristics on the decision to screen cases for investigation. RESULTS : Stepwise regression analyses showed that (1) CSA reports were more likely to result in screening in for investigation when the children were younger ; (2) administrative characteristics explained a significant portion of the intake screening decision ; and (3) more important than any other factor, reports received prior to the 2007 Youth Protection Act amendment were more likely to be screened in for investigation than those received after those legal changes. These variables predicted 71.2 % of reports that were screened in and 65.9 % of reports that were screened out. CONCLUSION : These findings suggest that the CSA incidence decline may reflect changes in policies and practices regarding screening procedures, making it less likely that cases will be investigated.