The present article is focused on child suggestibility. This is a crucial topic in the evaluation of testimony and the reliability of the child that is both witness and victim of (suspected or real) sexual abuse. The suggestibility is seen as one of the main causes of methodological mistakes and potential mnestic modifications. In fact, the phenomenon is analyzed investigating the connections between its different meanings and effects on the psychological and methodological level, considering procedures of allegation acquisition and the relapses on memory and empathy. Key words: evaluation of child testimony; child witness suggestibility; suggestibility; memory; empathy.

Andrea Lisi, Ignazio Grattagliano, in "MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL’INFANZIA" 1/2008, pp. 59-79, DOI: