The Process for ABE Interviews and Re W Applications in Child Sexual Abuse Cases

摘要

This family law case will be of particular interest to criminal practitioners in light of the court's observations about the proper conduct of ABE interviews. The appellant in this case was Mr E. Mr E is the father of child A, who was 15 years old at the time of the hearing. Child A was friends with children from another family, their mother being Ms F. They were: B, a younger boy also aged 15; C, a boy aged 10; and, D, a girl aged 8. On 24 February 2015, A was caught stealing while he was with B, C and D at a local shop. The police located both sets of parents, who were in an inebriated and aggressive state, at the home of Ms F. The children were subsequently placed into police protection overnight. A was returned home but B, C and D remained in foster care and became the subjects of care proceedings.