Epistemic injustice, child sexual abuse, and mental health

The conditions of the social context are fundamental to the development of psychological well-being, since an environment that offers opportunities to satisfy basic psychological needs will allow for optimal individual functioning. However, when the context is not conducive, risk conditions are created, which make or may make certain populations vulnerable, specifically those concerned with this work: children and adolescents. Epistemic injustice in the context of child sexual abuse undoubtedly represents one of the most significant obstacles in the administration of justice, neglecting the protection of victims' mental health. This paper examines the biases and prejudices that affect the credibility of girls' and adolescents' testimonies in judicial proceedings, generating a credibility deficit and perpetuating revictimization. Through a review of the psychological and sociological literature, it is argued that the collective imagination, built on gender and age stereotypes, is (unconsciously) part of legal practitioners, limiting the protection of the rights of children and adolescents. This analysis addresses key theories such as Fricker's epistemic injustice, Gilligan's ethics of care, and social vulnerability to propose reasonable adjustments in judicial proceedings. Integrating forensic psychology into legal academies for the administration of justice is crucial to reducing miscarriages of justice and ensuring a child-sensitive approach in practice.