| |
|
|
| |
|
What is Forensic Interviewing and What Can You Do?
|
|
| |
The statistics are staggering: 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday. (Darkness to Light, a leader in child sexual abuse prevention, advocacy for behavioral impact, education, training, and research)
|
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
You suspect a child has experienced sexual abuse. Maybe the child is withdrawn or acting out, or maybe s/he has revealed something to you that is cause for concern. You call the CPS hotline to report it, but do you know what to say or do in the moment or meantime?
“If a child discloses (sexual abuse or maltreatment), stick to the minimal facts,” said Lisa Jackson, senior caseworker for the CPS Impact Team of Monroe County. She said it’s okay to get basic information from the child, like an address and makeup of the household, but don’t try to get any details about the abuse itself. “It can be frustrating, but if you’re not forensically trained, your questions can be leading or suggestive.”
Jackson has worked for the county for the past 17 years, four of those as a forensic interviewer on CPS investigations as part of the Impact Team at Bivona Child Advocacy Center. She explained, “Forensic interviewing is a method for gathering information by asking questions that are non-leading and non-suggestive, in a child-friendly and child-driven way.”
Following the proper protocol when interviewing a child who may be a victim of abuse is important for two reasons. “You don’t want to have the child tell their story to multiple people, time and time again,” said Jackson, as it can be painful for the child to relive the experience. “It can also lead to discrepancies that could eventually be used against them in court.”
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Sexual Abuse:
Any behavior which results in touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a child for the purpose of sexual gratification of the child and/or adult. It includes touching by the child and/or adult without or with clothing. Often, the sexual abuse occurs over time and may not be painful or cause physical injury to the child. The adult gets the child to participate by using rewards, threats, bribes and lying, and takes advantage of the child’s trust. This type of coercion by an adult, whom the child often loves, can result in long term emotional trauma that can last into adulthood.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The minimum requirements of a forensic interviewer are a bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, sociology or psychology and passing a criminal background check.
In addition, each member of the Impact Team undergoes an intensive course in ChildFirst® Forensic Interview Protocol. This interactive training combines lectures with demonstrations and hands-on experience—role playing with adult actors pretending to be kids—for conducting effective investigative interviews of child abuse victims. Completion of 40 hours of training and passing a written exam are required for certification.
“We go through standard state regulated trainings with the Office of Children and Family Services, prerequisite and development trainings,” said Jackson, “plus refresher courses and certifications for follow-up interviews and different protocols.”
“When gathering information, everything is forensic.” She continued, “It’s how we’re gathering it (that’s important).”
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
“The child’s first interview typically takes place at Bivona Child Advocacy Center,” said Jackson. Representatives from law enforcement, the district attorney’s office, and other members of the Impact Team may also be present, but observe from another room via closed circuit cameras. “When the child comes into the room, I explain the presence of the cameras to let them know that the interview is being observed and recorded. It’s important that they understand the process.”
To start building a rapport with the child, Jackson talks about things the child likes and does in her/his daily life. “By giving narratives for basic things,” she explained, “we are modeling, in a non-obvious way, how we are looking for information, so it feels natural and relaxed in that setting.”
“We do not introduce new information.” Jackson described how the child has to be the one to bring people into the narrative. For example, a forensic interviewer may elicit essential details by helping the child break down who in the family lives where, and address global questions about the home, presence of drugs and alcohol, and details regarding supervision.
“’So tell me more about that,’” is a framing technique that she often uses to draw out more details in their conversation. “Narrowing down, asking more specific questions, is how the interview is normally structured.”
As it gets more in-depth, body safety is covered via anatomical drawings (unclothed) and dolls (clothed and gender, age and ethnically appropriate), for clarification. Multiple choice questions are often used to extend the narrative, as there may be a need to be more specific. Nothing is written down (since it’s being recorded), and attention to the child’s body language helps to direct the course of the interview.
“At the conclusion of the interview, we talk about a random topic, to take the child back to a neutral state,” said Jackson, “so the last topic is not focused on abuse before they leave the room.”
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Whether a child discloses details to you or if you suspect a child has been abused, “Having a person believing them in the moment is important,” said Jackson. “And even if they don’t disclose, that doesn’t negate what happened, the child may not be ready to tell.”
“Typically, the child has to go through the forensic process,” she explained, “to move forward with the case. There are, however, instances where there is other solid or corroborating evidence to support a claim of suspected child abuse, if the child does not disclose.”
Remember that by eliciting a free narrative by asking more questions can be very detrimental. In the end, the child still has to testify in court. “We don’t want to open up that box to the defense attorney to be able to say anyone led the child in one way or another.”
Jackson offered that the best response from a mandated reporter to a child disclosing abuse or neglect is, “Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m going to tell someone (who can help).”
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
