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Perceptions of elder physical abuse in the courtroom: the influence of hearsay witness testimony.

Author
Abstract
:

A community sample of 226 participants (41% men, 59% women) who answered questions about a trial summary that manipulated what type of witness (a 45-year-old hearsay [second-hand information based on the report of a crime victim] witness, a 75-year-old hearsay witness, or the 75-year-old victim) presented an allegation of elder physical abuse. Overall, participants who read the testimony of a 45-year-old hearsay witness had higher conviction rates than participants who read the testimony of the 75-year-old hearsay witness or the elder victim. Additionally, participants who had previously been victims of abuse and/or who had positive attitudes toward elderly people rendered more pro-prosecution verdicts. Finally, as the age of the participant increased so did conviction rates.

Year of Publication
:
0
Journal
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Journal of elder abuse & neglect
Volume
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19
Issue
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3-4
Number of Pages
:
19-39
Date Published
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2007
ISSN Number
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0894-6566
DOI
:
10.1300/J084v19n03_02
Short Title
:
J Elder Abuse Negl
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