Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings

(San Francisco, California) Ordeal of testifying in court by child sexual abuse victim, and several states' efforts to ease psychological stress on child with videotaped testimony examined; 2 yr-old's account of assault by her father shown as example [Dr. David CORWIN - considers it open-season on young children.] Various courtroom scenes shown. ["KEN" - recalls testifying against father when he was child; describes ordeal.] ["CYNTHIA" - describes police brutalization of her after seeking help from them as child sexual victim.] [Therapist Julie ROBBINS - notes small children in particular are unable to lie about sexual abuse; explains.] [Deputy district attorney Ken FREEMAN - cites need to find way of helping children so they're not destroyed by legal system.] Seattle's program described; training films shown. [Prosecutor Norman MALENG - thinks WA's approach gives option to prosecution not available before.] Texas's use of videotaped testimony by child victims noted. [Prosecutor Steve CHANEY - cites need to bend law to accommodate justice.] California's use of closed-circuit television described. [Judge Candace COOPER - believes system aids children.]
REPORTER: Ken Kashiwahara

(Studio) [Assistant United States attorney general Lois Haight HARRINGTON - discusses legal system's effort to improve attitude toward children, implications for the accused, paradox of legal system's approach to child as offender versus as victim.]
REPORTER: Peter Jennings