Final answer:
A child's testimony in CSA cases may be doubted due to testimonial injustice, societal biases, and issues such as victim denial and systemic biases in the court system.
Step-by-step explanation:
A child is less likely to be believed when accusing someone of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) if there is societal testimonial injustice. This concept explains situations where certain individuals or groups, such as children or women, are unjustly given less credibility. Instances of minimizing the abuse, the child denying abuse due to fear or confusion, and blaming the victim can all lead to doubts about the child's testimony. Moreover, research suggests that systemic biases, such as those witnessed in court cases, can contribute to a child's testimony being taken less seriously. For example, Elizabeth Loftus's studies raise concerns about the accuracy of memories recovered through leading questions, but they do not dismiss the reality of CSA. Studies have shown that some victims might deny abuse even when confronted by authorities, and biases can also manifest in racial disparities in pain treatment. The treatment of children's testimony in cases of CSA can be influenced by a wide range of factors, leading to a harsh reality where children's voices are not always heard or believed.