[PSYC 376] - Midterm Exam Guide - Ultimate 21 pages long Study Guide!
6 Feb 2017
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A brief history of c hildren as witnesses in criminal court. In 2012: 660,000 reports to police of crime against children (represents 18% of all reported crimes) About 21% of all reported crimes against persons under 18 years old were of a sexual nature. About 55% of reported sexual offences are made by persons who are younger than 18 years old. Last decade of 1600s, 19 persons were put to death as witches and many others were convicted of being witches. The pri(cid:373)ar(cid:455) (cid:449)it(cid:374)esses agai(cid:374)st the defe(cid:374)da(cid:374)ts (cid:449)ere the (cid:858)(cid:272)ir(cid:272)le girls(cid:859) ((cid:272)hildren between the ages of 5 and 16) 17th century salem believed strongly in the presence of witches strong and fundamental belief in the innocence of children (had not yet been tainted by the evils of humanity) Evil has not yet touched them yet therefore able to recognize evil potent and highly suggestive questioning of the girls. Functionally barred children from adducing evidence in criminal courts.
