Post Hoc Reasoning in Possible Cases of Child Sexual Abuse: Just say no

In this commentary on "Post Hoc Reasoning in Possible Cases of Child Sexual Abuse: Symptoms of Inconclusive Origins" (Sbraga & O'Donohue, 2003; this issue) I do not disagree with the authors' ultimate objection with the possible practice of presuming abuse based on the presence of psychological symptoms at some later point in time. However, they do not mount a compelling argument that expert witnesses are in fact doing this widely, and they tend to misapply theories or research on posttrauma sequellae as a way to bolster their arguments. The simple fact that there is no universal psychological symptom marker that could "prove" child sexual abuse is reason enough to refrain from such speculation. © 2003 American Psychological Association D12.

Duke Scholars

Author Patricia A. Resick Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neur ...