{"id":6297,"date":"2024-06-09T23:30:28","date_gmt":"2024-06-09T19:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phf.org.ge\/resources\/interviewing-a-child-victim-or-witness\/"},"modified":"2024-11-13T12:24:18","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T08:24:18","slug":"interviewing-a-child-victim-or-witness","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/phf.org.ge\/en\/resources\/interviewing-a-child-victim-or-witness\/","title":{"rendered":"Interviewing a Child Victim or Witness<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Obtain Reliable Information Without Additional Trauma<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why Is Proper Interviewing of a Child Victim or Witness Important?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A child is often the only accessible source of information about what happened. Many cases against those suspected of child abuse go unresolved due to inadequate investigations or improperly conducted child interviews. The justice system requires clear, consistent, and reliable information from child victims or witnesses.<\/p>\n

What Makes a “Reliable Witness”?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\tThe ability to recall and convey information accurately
\n\u2022\tUnderstanding the difference between truth and lies
\n\u2022\tThe ability to understand questions and indicate if they don\u2019t understand
\n\u2022\tResisting suggestive questions
\nHowever, interviewing a child victim or witness often presents challenges that may go unnoticed by the interviewer, impacting the completeness and reliability of the child\u2019s account and their emotional well-being. Unfamiliar environments and poorly phrased questions can affect the accuracy of the information provided. Inadequate interviewing techniques can also retraumatize the child, reinforcing their sense of victimization.<\/p>\n

NICHD Protocol for Child Victim Interviews<\/strong><\/p>\n

To obtain a complete and credible testimony from a child, the NICHD Protocol is used\u2014a structured tool developed by the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Based on extensive research, this protocol translates scientific knowledge about child memory, communication, and social skills into practical directives for interview quality improvement. Studies over nearly a decade involved both psychologists and detectives.<\/p>\n

Research has clarified several important points:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tChildren can remember and report past events.
\n\u2022\tReliable information can be obtained from children, but it requires careful procedures.
\n\u2022\tThe quality of information depends largely on the professionalism of the interviewer.
\n\u2022\tOpen prompts (like “Tell me what happened”) allow children to provide more narrative and detailed accounts.
\n\u2022\tOver 50% of information from children emerges through open-ended recall, regardless of age.
\n\u2022\tFree-recall statements are 3-5 times more informative and reliable than responses to direct or closed questions.<\/p>\n

Types of Questions and the NICHD Protocol Structure<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Open Prompts<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tEncourage free narration (e.g., “Tell me what happened” or “What happened next?”)
\n\u2022\tFollow-up prompts for more detail (e.g., “You mentioned… tell me more about that”)<\/p>\n

2. Direct Questions<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tSpecific but non-leading, e.g., “What color was the shirt?” or “Where did it happen?”<\/p>\n

3. Closed Questions<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tYes\/No (e.g., “Did he threaten you?”)
\n\u2022\tMultiple choice (e.g., “Was he sitting, lying down, or standing?”)<\/p>\n

4. Suggestive Questions<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tShould be avoided (e.g., “He kissed you, didn\u2019t he?”)
\nThe NICHD Protocol Structure involves:
\n\u2022\tIntroduction: Introduction, explanation of video\/audio recording, and discussion about the truth and behavior guidelines.
\n\u2022\tEstablishing Rapport: “I want to get to know you better. Tell me what you like to do.”
\n\u2022\tMemory Practice: Discuss a recent memorable event.
\n\u2022\tTransition to Interview: Open questions about the reason for the visit, any signs of abuse, etc., followed by specific open questions about incidents.
\n\u2022\tBreak: Review the information provided by the child and plan the remaining interview.
\n\u2022\tExploring Disclosure: Gather details from previous discussions or physical signs of abuse.
\n\u2022\tClarification of Disclosure: Who knows, how they found out, and who else might know.
\n\u2022\tConclusion: Thank the child, ask if there\u2019s anything else they want to share, and provide contact information.
\n\u2022\tNeutral Conversation: End with a neutral topic, such as “What will you do after you leave here today?”<\/p>\n

Key Practices<\/strong>
\n1.\tAvoid:
\no\tStarting the interview without establishing rapport
\no\tAsking “why” questions (which can imply blame)
\no\tUsing suggestive or leading questions
\no\tRushing the child or asking complex questions
\no\tEncouraging the child to imagine or guess
\n2.\tDo:
\no\tFollow the protocol structure
\no\tExplain the purpose and importance of the interview
\no\tEncourage free narration
\no\tUse open-ended questions
\no\tHighlight specific information the child has mentioned for clarification<\/p>\n

Children who share less about their experience often need additional support, not coercion. Even when interviewers know the guidelines, applying best practices consistently can be challenging and requires skill development and reinforcement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-6297","resources","type-resources","status-publish","hentry"],"_elementor_inline_svg":null,"_elementor_source_image_hash":null,"_imagify_data":null,"_imagify_optimization_level":null,"_imagify_status":null,"_oembed_b3809bf3bed5275f7641f686539403fa":null,"_oembed_bcfb73503f8d5459243ae8528b4c2001":null,"_translation_status_ka":null,"_wp_attached_file":null,"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":null,"_wp_attachment_context":null,"_wp_attachment_image_alt":null,"_wp_attachment_metadata":null,"_wpml_media_usage":null,"image_optimizer_metadata":null,"wpml_media_processed":null,"blog-gallery":null,"main-photo-of-the-blog":null,"elementor_font_face":null,"elementor_font_files":null,"_listing_data":null,"_listing_type":null,"_ability_deselect_radio":null,"_active_label":null,"_add_all_option":null,"_all_option_label":null,"_alphabet_behavior":null,"_alphabet_options":null,"_alphabet_radio_deselect":null,"_color_image_ability_deselect_radio":null,"_color_image_add_all_option":null,"_color_image_add_all_option_image":null,"_color_image_add_all_option_lael":null,"_color_image_behavior":null,"_color_image_type":null,"_custom_field_source_plugin":null,"_custom_query_var":null,"_data_exclude_include":null,"_data_source":null,"_date_available_range":null,"_date_available_range_custom_info":null,"_date_available_range_custom_max":null,"_date_available_range_custom_min":null,"_date_format":null,"_date_from_placeholder":null,"_date_period_date_formats_info":null,"_date_period_datepicker_button_text":null,"_date_period_end_format":null,"_date_period_format":null,"_date_period_separator":null,"_date_period_start_end_enabled":null,"_date_period_start_format":null,"_date_period_type":null,"_date_source":null,"_date_to_placeholder":null,"_date_type":null,"_default_filter_value":null,"_default_filter_value_info":null,"_default_filter_value_info_date":null,"_default_filter_value_info_hierarchical":null,"_default_filter_value_info_multiple":null,"_default_filter_value_info_range":null,"_filter_label":null,"_filter_type":null,"_glossary_id":null,"_glossary_notice":null,"_group_by_parent":null,"_group_collapsible":null,"_ih_source_map":null,"_is_custom_checkbox":null,"_is_custom_query_var":null,"_is_default_filter_value":null,"_is_hierarchical":null,"_only_child":null,"_placeholder":null,"_query_builder_color_prop":null,"_query_builder_image_prop":null,"_query_builder_label_prop":null,"_query_builder_queries_to_switch":null,"_query_builder_query":null,"_query_builder_value_prop":null,"_query_compare":null,"_query_switcher_notice":null,"_query_var":null,"_range_inputs_enabled":null,"_range_inputs_separators_enabled":null,"_rating_compare_operand":null,"_rating_options":null,"_s_by":null,"_s_placeholder":null,"_show_empty_terms":null,"_source_callback":null,"_source_color_image_input":null,"_source_custom_field":null,"_source_get_from_field_data":null,"_source_manual_input":null,"_source_manual_input_range":null,"_source_max":null,"_source_min":null,"_source_post_type":null,"_source_step":null,"_source_taxonomy":null,"_terms_relational_operator":null,"_use_exclude_include":null,"_values_decimal_num":null,"_values_decimal_sep":null,"_values_prefix":null,"_values_suffix":null,"_values_thousand_sep":null,"_menu_item_classes":null,"_menu_item_menu_item_parent":null,"_menu_item_object":null,"_menu_item_object_id":null,"_menu_item_target":null,"_menu_item_type":null,"_menu_item_url":null,"_menu_item_xfn":null,"_cms_nav_minihome":"","_top_nav_excluded":"","donor-of-the-project":null,"end-of-project":null,"full-name-of-the-project":null,"general-objective-of-the-project":null,"partner-of-the-project":null,"photo-of-the-project":null,"photograph-of-partner-donor":null,"project-name":null,"project-status":null,"specific-goal-of-the-project_copy":null,"specific-objective-of-the-project":null,"start-of-project":null,"publication-is-intended":null,"publication-pdf":null,"the-publication-photo":null,"_cdp_counter":null,"_cdp_origin":null,"_cdp_origin_site":null,"_cdp_origin_title":null,"resource-link":null,"resource-photo":"2311","the-resource-is-intended-for":{"\u10db\u10e8\u10dd\u10d1\u10da\u10d4\u10d1\u10d8\u10e1\u10d7\u10d5\u10d8\u10e1":"false","\u10d1\u10d0\u10d5\u10e8\u10d5\u10d4\u10d1\u10d8\u10e1\u10d7\u10d5\u10d8\u10e1":"false","\u10de\u10e0\u10dd\u10e4\u10d4\u10e1\u10d8\u10dd\u10dc\u10d0\u10da\u10d4\u10d1\u10d8\u10e1\u10d7\u10d5\u10d8\u10e1":"true"},"video-snapshot":null,"video-url":null,"_edit_last":"","_edit_lock":"","_wpml_media_has_media":null,"_wpml_word_count":"","_elementor_conditions":null,"_elementor_css":null,"_elementor_data":null,"_elementor_edit_mode":null,"_elementor_page_assets":null,"_elementor_page_settings":null,"_elementor_popup_display_settings":null,"_elementor_pro_version":null,"_elementor_screenshot_failed":null,"_elementor_source":null,"_elementor_template_type":null,"_elementor_template_widget_type":null,"_elementor_version":null,"_icl_lang_duplicate_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