Protocol at the Victim Assistance Center of the Public Prosecutor’s Office

Analysis of its application in cases of sexual abuse of children

Abstract

This paper aims to describe the procedures of the forensic legal psychologist of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, specifically in cases of sexual abuse of children investigated by the criminal units. The methodology adopts a qualitative approach, with non-experimental design, documentary type and descriptive scope. Each office of the Victim Attention Center acts upon receipt of the official letter issued by the different units, responds with the request, these may be; evaluation, here it is important to note, this depends on the intervention requested by the prosecutor; psychological counseling, psychological evaluation, expertise as jurisdictional advance of evidence, Gesell chamber and psychological board. It is concluded that the performance of the forensic psychologist in the Public Prosecutor’s Office is more demanding every day and as expert collaborators of a criminal process with social and family impact, they are facing more and more demanding parameters. This situation requires specialization in the area of intervention, more training in the use of formalized protocols for the credibility of testimony, Gesell chamber procedures, the handling of the law and regulations of the psychologist’s professional practice, to ensure the validity of the actions in the context of the investigation and the protection of the minor against possible cases of revictimization.