Dolls can help in uncovering sex abuse

Despite years of controversy surrounding the use of anatomical dolls in possible sexual abuse situations, they can serve as a valuable resource when children are reluctant or unable to describe what happened to them, a U-M researcher says.

Based upon a review of research over the years, Kathleen Faller, a professor in the School of Social Work, says children are able to show and tell what happened to them by using the dolls, which can aid social workers or law enforcement officials in learning more about an alleged incident. Using dolls and asking for demonstrations also may help professionals clarify concerns about programming or coaching, she says.

"The advantages of anatomical dolls appear to outweigh their disadvantages as interview aids," says Faller, whose research interests include interview techniques for possible sexual abuse, decision-making in child sexual abuse and understanding different subcategories of sexual abuse.

Faller's review of the research appears in the recent issue of the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse.

The American Psychological Association and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children have said the dolls may be useful in helping children communicate when their language skills or emotional concerns inhibit direct verbal responses. And some federal and state laws—including Michigan—allow the use of the dolls in criminal court proceedings.

Some critics contend that using a doll can mislead a child who is describing what happened. They have cautioned that the doll may elicit play or fantasy, rather than demonstrations of actual events.

"This is not surprising, since children's prior experience with dolls has been in play activities," Faller says.

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