4.2.1. Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs)

Repeatedly throughout this research, participants highlighted the benefits of multidisciplinary teams, which entails a team of multiple professionals such as law enforcement, prosecutors, child protection workers, and counselors all working together. Multidisciplinary teams have shown to be helpful not just for professionals dealing with CSAM, but also for children and families (Slane et al. 2018). Multidisciplinary teams lead to better decision-making and use of resources, as well as a reduction in staff burnout and less trauma for children and families (Slane et al. 2018). Multidisciplinary teams are also shown to improve coordination of CSAM investigations (Slane et al. 2018).

In their research with counselors who worked with victims of CSAM, Von Weiler et al. (2010) noted that professionals believed strongly in the necessity of cooperation with other professions and institutions, namely social welfare services, prosecutors, and law enforcement. They noted that professionals believed cooperation and collaboration with members of the legal system would greatly improve if law enforcement agencies had access to knowledge about the adverse effects of CSAM on victims. Further, participants suggested it would be beneficial to work together so that law enforcement and counselors/therapists understood the others' procedures and potential limitations of these various professions (Von Weiler et al. 2010). Participants in the current study also noted that other professionals would benefit from understanding the law and legal systems. Multidisciplinary teams are a way to ensure professionals are informed about one another's roles as well as policies and procedures of different professions or organizations.
