Systematic Touch Exploration as a Screening Procedure for Child Abuse

Few child abuse interview formats have been assessed for validity. This paper presents a systematic touch exploration format for screening child abuse. The technique involves simple drawings with child participation that review both positive and negative forms of touching in a child's life. Screening for physical and emotional abuse as well as sexual abuse is incorporated in the format. Comparisons between screening outcome and the complete case investigation conclusion indicate no fabricated allegations, but a bias loward under reporting of abuse did occur in a pilot study. These results are discussed in light of the literature.