Sage Publications Following a general introduction to child sexual abuse teams, the authors, a policewoman and a social worker, cover team building, roles and responsibilities of team members, interviews of the child, the non-offending parent and the suspect, and validation through team decision. The secondary title of the book, "The Uneasy Alliance," points up the difficulties arising when different team members have different missions and goals. The book contains a selective list of references but no index. While this book covers a great deal of old information, new issues are not addressed. For example, is it always in the child's best interest to prosecute? What do we do as the current cost reductions affect teams? I covered many of the problems discussed in this book over five years ago. At that time, workers on a hospital team told me that they didn't know if the team concept is cost-effective. One member said that teams were a "dinosaur waiting to die." Team members felt that their training in treatment and rehabilitation conflicted with the team's judge and jury-like role. Since 60% of sexual abuse allegations are not validated, the team only gets the questionable cases, which makes their role all the more important. The book has some very helpful information for teams. It is unique in that it recommends interviewing the suspect and covers this in one chapter. The authors also endorse DNA analysis, which has freed many already of false rape charges or convictions. With proper and thorough investigation many useless cases are going to be eliminated. The authors emphasize an objective investigation and state, "The interviewer should be an important seeker of truth" (p. 114). The book is recommended. Reviewed by LeRoy G. Schultz, Professor Emeritus of Social Work, West Virginia University.
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