Perceptions of elder physical abuse in the courtroom: the influence of hearsay witness testimony.
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| 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 | :  Journal of elder abuse & neglect | 
| Volume | :  19 | 
| Issue | :  3-4 | 
| Number of Pages | :  19-39 | 
| Date Published | :  2007 | 
| ISSN Number | :  0894-6566 | 
| DOI | :  10.1300/J084v19n03_02 | 
| Short Title | :  J Elder Abuse Negl | 
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