The Prosecution's Use of Social Science Expert Testimony in Child Sexual Abuse Cases

Six different categories of social science expert testimony presented by the prosecution regarding behaviors of child sexual abuse victims are described and analyzed in relation to national case law trends. Problems with the admissibility of several forms of such testimony are discussed in terms of legal requirements for expert testimony, prior knowledge of the issues held by jurors, reliability of the social science research regarding child sexual abuse, and the prejudicial impact on jurors. Finally, recommendations are made to limit the use of most forms of testimony (except rehabilitative testimony), conduct further research on certain issues, and convene a multi-disciplinary symposium and publish, in a reputable journal, papers from the symposium that analyze the issues, explore areas of consensus, and suggest future directions in this area.     

Ending Sexual Harassment: Protecting the Progress of #MeToo

ABSTRACT

How can we best protect and safeguard the progress of the #MeToo movement? This article presents 11 reforms designed to ensure the movement’s drive toward justice. These fall into three areas. The first concern process reforms designed to (a) protect all those involved—accusers and the accused—in investigations of sexual harassment, (b) end differential treatment of those found guilty, and (c) ensure punishments are commensurate with the crime and proportional in terms of other transgressors. The second set of reforms focus on transparency of the process, including clarifying (a) how to file charges, (b) who makes decisions, (c) relevant public information on how charges and procedures are followed, (d) what transgressions result in which punishments, and (e) how complaints are investigated to protect the rights and privacy of all. Finally, I address cultural issues that address (a) our portrayal of women, (b) our societal attempts to prepare young people so they can better protect themselves, and (c) attempts to encourage bystanders to intervene in the face of sexual harassment of others.     

当代中国影视中的女性形象之嬗变

当代中国影视剧中的女性形象经历了半个多世纪的嬗变,从最初符合时代政治要求的"理想女性"逐渐转变为女性主体意识觉醒后的"女性理想"的追求者,而在社会发展、电视等传播技术普及之后,又逐渐"退化"为符合男性审美期待和心理期望的新一类"理想女性"。这种与社会进步同时出现的女性形象的"反动"值得进一步研究。即便是专门由女性编导为女性观众创作的女性题材电视剧和电影,也在一定程度上与社会主流男权话语中的女性形象妥协。而塑造健康而富有时代感的女性形象,必须认识到健全的男性和女性形象都应该兼备"双性"的性格特征。     

Does Contact Matter?: The Relative Importance of Contact in Predicting Anti-Gay Prejudice in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

Jamaica has been called one of the world’s most anti-gay countries. However, little empirical research has investigated methods of reducing this prejudice. Intergroup contact—(positive) interaction with someone from a different social group—is one of the most widely tested and strongly favored methods of reducing prejudice. However, the role of contact in this specific context is not clear, particularly the relative importance of contact compared to other variables that predict (less) prejudice. This current cross-sectional research investigated that question using a large, representative sample of Jamaican participants (N = 942). As in prior research, contact predicted less anti-gay prejudice, and the (negative) relationship between contact and anti-gay behaviors was mediated by intergroup anxiety and attitudes, even when other important predictors were taken into account. However, contact was a less important predictor than gender, education, or religiosity. Implications for intergroup contact and prejudice-reduction strategies in Jamaica are discussed.     

The dual contingencies of ethnoraciality: Status-context disparities in health information sources among sexual minorities

Researchers often explore health (care) beliefs as a function of individual characteristics; yet, few consider the role of context in shaping both beliefs and the behaviors that are informed by them. As a sociopolitical construct, ethnoraciality provides a concerning source of bias in studies of health (care) beliefs because it inhabits both individual and contextual forms. This study examines whether the ethnoracial context of the residential area where sexual minorities live is associated with a particular health (care) belief – sources of trustworthy health information – and considers how ethnoracial group membership status differentiates these ecological associations drawing on mediation and moderation models. Using data from the 2010 Social Justice Sexuality Project, our analysis shows that sexual minorities who live with high concentrations of Latinos and Whites are less likely to rely exclusively on medical professionals for trustworthy health information than those who live with high concentrations of Blacks. Moreover, exclusive reliance on medical professionals for health information among Black and Latino sexual minorities is stronger in co-ethnic communities (predominately Black and Latino areas, respectively). The analysis also documents status and contextual differentials and status-context contingencies of reliance on the Internet, social networks, and multiple agents (“triangulation”) as sources of health information. Findings suggest that place-based co-ethnic networks may facilitate disease prevention among Black and Latino sexual minorities by improving the quality of their relationships with sick role gatekeepers and breaking down the silos of the medical complex. The study concludes by considering the value of a place-based approach to alleviating health disparities among sexual minorities vis-à-vis the health care system.     

Sexual health-related training of Canadian midwives and its association with practice outcome

BackgroundAlthough promoting sexual health should be an integral part of midwifery practice, little is known about midwives’ preparation to address their clients’ sexual health concerns.AimsTo assess the formal and self-directed training on sexual health topics relevant to midwifery practice of Canadian midwives as well as the association between training and various practice outcomes.MethodsForty midwives registered in the Province of Ontario, Canada completed an online survey assessing their formal and self-directed sexual health training, knowledge, comfort, and practice related to 10 sexual health issues.FindingsIn terms of formal training, three of the 10 topics were coved in-depth and seven were covered in general terms only or not at all. Participants had received an average of 26.0 hours of formal training related to sexual health. Almost all (90%) participants had engaged in self-directed learning on at least one topic. Participants had asked at least one client about only 5 of the 10 topics and been asked by at least one client about 4.5 of them. Participants who reported more extensive formal training had been asked about more sexual health topics by their clients. More self-directed learning was associated with more positive attitudes toward midwives’ role in addressing sexual health concerns, feeling more knowledgeable, and being asked about and asking about more sexual health topics.ConclusionThe midwives in this sample had limited training in some important sexual health issues relevant to midwifery practice. Likely as a result, they often did not address these issues in practice.     

汉日谚语中的性别歧视

性别歧视是存在于汉日两种语言中普遍的社会现象,体现在很多方面.本文主要通过比较汉日谚语俗语,来探讨两种语言中的性别歧视现象.     

我国青年对婚前性行为的社会态度分析

通过分析我国近 10年有关青年婚前性行为态度的调查数据 ,发现我国青年对婚前性行为的态度呈现出越来越开放的趋势。这种趋势受到社会文化变迁、经济发展水平、受教育程度以及大众传播媒介等各种因素的影响。青年开放的性态度昭示了青年性教育的迫切性。     

论侵权行为法中受害人的同意

在侵权行为法中,受害人同意是指,受害人就他人特定行为的发生或者他人对自己权益造成的特定损害后果予以同意并表现在外部的意愿。它可以是明示的,也可以是默示的。合法有效的受害人同意包括以下几项要件:必须有明确具体的内容;真实的、自愿的;受害人具有同意能力;加害人尽到充分的告知、说明义务;不得违反法律的强行性、禁止性规定以及公共秩序、善良风俗。合法有效的受害人同意能够作为违法阻却事由或抗辩事由,从而免除加害人的侵权责任。但是,受害人对于犯罪行为的同意既不能免除加害人的刑事责任,也不能免除民事责任。受害人的同意与受害人故意、自甘冒险、免责条款之间既存在相同点,也有不同之处。     

Age at migration,family instability,and timing of sexual onset

This study builds on and extends previous research on nativity variations in adolescent health and risk behavior by addressing three questions: (1) whether and how generational status and age at migration are associated with timing of sexual onset among U.S. adolescents; (2) whether and how family instability mediates associations between nativity and sexual debut; and (3) whether and how these associations vary by gender. We find that first- and second-generation immigrant youth initiate sexual activity later than native youth. Foreign-born youth who migrate after the start of adolescence exhibit the latest sexual onset; boys’ sexual behavior is particularly sensitive to age at migration. Parental union stability is protective for first- and second-generation youth, especially boys; however, instability in co-residence with parents accelerates sexual debut for foreign-born girls, and dilutes protections from parental marital stability. Use of a non-English language at home delays sexual onset for immigrant girls, but not boys.