The MDT That Believed: Achieving Justice in a Child Sexual Abuse Case with High Risk of Recantation
Children are more likely to disclose and less likely to recant when they have a safe adult—but that role sometimes falls to the MDT itself. Using a rural incest case study, this session examines how professionals can step into that role through coordinated advocacy, caregiver education, and strategies that reduce recantation and strengthen outcomes.
Suggested Audience: All CAC & MDT members
Full Description: Research shows that children with access to a safe adult are more likely to disclose abuse and less likely to recant. While MDTs ideally rely on a supportive caregiver to fill that role, complications arise when the child identifies an MDT professional as their only safe adult—especially in cases involving unsupportive caregivers or family dynamics that increase recantation risk. In this case study from rural North Georgia, we will examine how an MDT became the child’s primary advocate after an accidental disclosure of incest, exploring strategies for caregiver education, coordinated teamwork, and how each professional can work both independently and collaboratively to support the child. Participants will also learn how believing the child, recognizing risk factors for recantation, and reflecting on real investigative missteps can strengthen future practice and improve case outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
Apply strategies to support children at higher risk of recantation—especially when caregivers are unsupportive—and respond effectively when an MDT professional becomes the child’s identified safe adult.
Strengthen discipline-specific and collaborative practices within the MDT by learning practical methods to engage caregivers, coordinate responses, and maintain a child-centered approach that affirms the child’s disclosure.
Use insights from a real case study to identify actionable improvements in interviewing, assessment, and decision-making across CPS, law enforcement, and other MDT partners.
Speaker(s): Alison Sutherland
