APRI Highlights - Spring 2004

NCPCA Publishes 3rd Edition of Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse Manual

Victor Vieth Director National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse

Over the last 10 years, much has happened in the field of child protection. Advanced technologies enable perpetrators to commit old crimes in new ways. Defenses abandoned over the past decade have given way to new tactics to discredit victims and those who seek to protect them.

Although new defense tactics and new methods of committing the crime of child abuse will be a constant, negative pattern in the field, there have been many positive developments as well. Prosecutors are getting involved earlier in these cases and, in many jurisdictions, are present when child victims are being interviewed in the local child advocacy center. As a whole, the profession is better trained, and many parts of the country report marked improvement in the ability to handle these cases.

In recognition of the changing landscape, and in response to the demand from child abuse professionals on the front lines, APRI’s National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA) is now offering Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse, 3rd edition. With nearly 500 pages of text, this manual addresses nearly every aspect of child abuse in terms that will be of assistance to front line investigators and prosecutors. The manual also comes with a CD-ROM containing hundreds of sample motions, briefs, and other legal documents that prosecutors can download, modify for their jurisdiction, and use in court. To purchase a copy of the manual, visit the SAGE Web site at www.sagepublications.com.

For additional information, contact the NCPCA at ncpca@ndaa-apri.org or (703) 549-4253.