Child sexual abuse revisited by the U.S. Supreme Court

In deciding a landmark child sexual abuse case, the U.S. Supreme Court broke new ground in addressing the unique needs and qualities of child witnesses. The Court unanimously decided that the spontaneous statement of an abused child, made outside of a courtroom and while receiving medical treatment because of molestation, is trustworthy and may be allowed as evidence at trial. The Court curtailed the right of a defendant to go face to face against the child accuser, considering that a victimized child's statement, made while he or she is emotionally injured, has substantial value that cannot be duplicated simply by testifying later in court.