ABSTRACT
Problem:Thecredibilityofyoungchildren'sreportsisacrucialfactorinsome criminalcases,especiallyincasesofchildsexualabuse,wherethechildmaybe theonlywitnessoftheactualevents.Researchershaveconductedstudiestohelp gainanunderstandingoftheircredibility,includingtheextenttowhichchildren mightbesusceptibletotheinfluenceofaninterviewerwhoasksleadingquestions. Notethatinrealcases,childrenmaybeengagingindenialorfeeltheyneedto keepinformationasecret.Insuchcases,usingleadingquestions(suchas"Where didshetouchyou?")insteadofneutralquestions(suchas"Didshetouchyou?") mightelicitmorehonestresponses.
