Research on Character Evidence in Cases of Sexual Assault on Minors

Character evidence refers to specific facts that demonstrate an individual's be-havioral traits, including personal statements or testimonies and evaluations provided by others. In cases of sexual assault involving minors, due to the highly concealed nature of such crimes and the young age of the victims, evidence col-lection and fact-finding face significant challenges. As a result, character evi-dence plays a crucial role in these cases. When handling sexual offense cases against minors, judicial authorities can draw from U.S. legal practices to over-come these difficulties. This includes considering the defendant's prior similar offenses during conviction and sentencing, establishing clear standards for the admissibility of character evidence, and implementing procedural safeguards to ensure the fairness of the trial.