Show, don't tell: A call for greater accountability and transparency in child abuse interviewing and investigation

The practice of child abuse interviewing and investigation requires a well-developed skill set because of (a) the challenges of interviewing young children; (b) the potential for forensic scrutiny; and (c) the co-interviewing... [ view full abstract ]

The practice of child abuse interviewing and investigation requires a well-developed skill set because of (a) the challenges of interviewing young children; (b) the potential for forensic scrutiny; and (c) the co-interviewing required with a multi-disciplinary approach. While there has been an increased focus on improving the standards of practice over the past decade, it is argued in this session that such efforts are still inadequate. The objective of the session is to explore aspects of concern that include the hiring requirements and practices of child interviewers by mandated authorities; unrecorded investigative interviews of child interviews when unaccompanied by police officers; a lack of clarity/consensus about the complaint and its relation to polyvictimization; the substantiated ineffectiveness of skill retention in many training programs; a continued failure to transfer evidence-based research to practice; inadequate processes for peer review; and a lack of national/international interviewing standards and accreditation.

This session will explore these issues, challenging current practices with the latest evidence-based research, and concluding with suggestions and recommendations. Audience discussion is encouraged.