Investigative Interviewing of Children

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Impact on and role of wider contexts (schooling and peers) 7.1 Overview 7.2 Schools 7.3 Peers: challenges and sensitivities 7.4 Support from friends 7.5 Formal peer support 7.6 Summary: supporting children in wider contexts 8. Recovery and moving on 8.1 Overview 8.2 Recovery: 'there's no quick fix' 8.3 Children's hopes for the future: 'normality' and difference 8.4 Summary: supporting children to feel 'whole' 9. Conclusion 9.1 Recognising and responding to the 'ripple effect' 9.2 Listening to children 9.3 Practice and policy implications References Appendices 'Stepping forward' and 'moving on' Within this, the researchers were asked to consider the views and needs of groups of children and young people who may be particularly marginalised from services, or represent 'seldom heard voices' such as boys and young men, disabled children, children under ten, Black children and those from minority ethnic communities, lesbian, gay and bisexual children and young people, and transgender children and young people. Figure 1: Relationships between child and perpetrator included within the definition of child sexual abuse in the family environment (taken from Children's Commissioner, 2015

It was hypothesized that all subjects in a simulated eyewitness condition would be found to be suggestible for misleading post-event information contained in stories across three presentation situations in a video format, written format, and audio format. It was further hypothesized that subjects would be differentially susceptible to suggestion and/or accuracy depending on the stimulus format in which the information was presented, because of cognitive processing abilities. This is referred to as the cognitive processing differences hypothesis. The first hypothesis was confirmed, but the results of the cognitive processing differences hypothesis were equivocal.

Faulty eyewitness testimony can be a notorious source of mistakes in the legal system potentially leading to wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice. The current study examined the knowledge of a sample of police officers (n = 270) and psychologists (n = 63) in Indonesia regarding factors known to influence the validity of eyewitness testimony given by adults and children. Previous studies have documented that police and psychologists in Western countries have less-than-optimal knowledge about the psychology of eyewitness testimony. Similarly, our non-Western sample also demonstrated a lack of knowledge that may be damaging in the legal context such as the belief that recall of minor details indicates accuracy of memory. For both adult and child eyewitnesses, the psychologists performed significantly better than the police but at the item level these differences were small in size. Intriguingly, we also found that psychologists were more likely than the police officers to endorse the item about repression of memories. The findings show the need for teaching on the psychology of eyewitness testimony for professional groups involved in the legal arena.

De betrouwbaarheid van hervonden herinneringen aan seksueel misbruik in de kindertijd vormde jarenlang de inzet van een intense discussie binnen de psychologie, psychiatrie en het recht. De intensiteit van het debat is ondertussen danig afgenomen. Het belang van het onderwerp blijft evenwel bestaan. Wetenschappelijk onderzoek suggereert dat het type hervonden herinnering relevant is voor de authenticiteitkwestie. In deze bijdrage beschrijven we de verschillende typologieën en de daarmee gepaard gaande classificatieproblemen. We benadrukken de behoefte aan solide, consistente en repliceerbare classificatiecriteria.

The field of child abuse is characterized by involving a multitude of different professions. With multiple professions working together, a dilemma between different logics can arise. This communication includes data from a study among social workers dealing with child abuse in Denmark. The study suggests that the sharing of information between professionals is highly valuable and appreciated but at the same time, an emphasis on the police investigation in the beginning phases of a case presents a tension between a criminal-law oriented logic and a treatment-oriented logic.

De betrouwbaarheid van hervonden herinneringen aan seksueel misbruik in de kindertijd vormde jarenlang de inzet van een intense discussie binnen de psychologie, psychiatrie en het recht. De intensiteit van het debat is ondertussen danig afgenomen. Het belang van het onderwerp blijft evenwel bestaan. Wetenschappelijk onderzoek suggereert dat het type hervonden herinnering relevant is voor de authenticiteitkwestie. In deze bijdrage beschrijven we de verschillende typologieën en de daarmee gepaard gaande classificatieproblemen. We benadrukken de behoefte aan solide, consistente en repliceerbare classificatiecriteria.

To elicit uncontaminated memories from children, is the highest priority for investigative
interviewers in criminal and legal proceedings. Police interviewers rarely rely on fully
acceptable questioning techniques and defence lawyers may use inappropriate approaches on
child eyewitnesses and victims, in an attempt to diminish their testimony. Despite various
detailed guidelines and legal rules, on how to interview children in legal settings in Switzerland
and the UK, the instructions mostly focus on question types and lack any references towards
the influence of potential gestures by interviewers. The main aim of this thesis was to find out
if gestures are commonly used in investigative interviews; and how they can influence
children’s eyewitness statements and ultimately corrupt their memory. The thesis focused on
two countries: Switzerland and England. Whilst there are a couple of studies that have
investigated the influence of gestures in child interviews in England (Broaders & GoldinMeadow, 2010; Kirk, Gurney, Edwards, & Dodimead, 2015), to our knowledge, no studies
have been conducted in other countries, including Switzerland. Study 1 included interviews
with Swiss police child interviewers, evaluating their guidelines and practices in regard to
investigative child interviews. Study 2 investigated, whether investigative interviewers in Italy
produced hand gestures when interviewing children. The Study found that interviewers
produced a wide range of iconic gestures. Study 3 built on this and investigated whether
misleading gestures during interviews could affect the correct responses of adults. It was found
that the misleading gestures led to a decrease in correct responses and most participants were
misled by at least one of the gestures. Study 4 then tested the gestural misinformation effect in
children of three age groups. Results showed that the misleading gestures affected participants’
responses and led to a decrease in accuracy in children’s testimonies. Finally, Study 5 tested
the gestural misinformation effect in children in England and Switzerland, in two delay
conditions and between two age groups for a mock robbery video. Results confirmed the
robustness of the gestural misinformation effect, irrespective of age, country or delay. Overall,
it was concluded that gestures seem to be a common behaviour by interviewers and can
negatively impact accurate eyewitness testimony of children. The findings have significant
implications, demonstrating that non-verbal behaviour in form of gestures can alter children’s
memory and thus, corrupt forensic investigations in police interviews.

Knowledge of children's memory and forensic interviewing skills are crucial in child abuse investigations. Safe Home is the Dutch hotline where both professionals and citizens can report concerns about child abuse or domestic violence. Professionals at Safe Home often serve as first responders to determine the need for a child abuse investigation, protective measures and/or further police investigation. In this study, child protection professionals (N = 158) employed at Safe Home (i.e., behavioral scientists, medical doctors, and social workers) completed an online survey on beliefs about memory functioning and forensic interviewing. In line with earlier studies, we expected to find a lack of knowledge about memory functioning among Safe Home workers. Furthermore, we expected limited use of forensic interviewing methods that have received empirical support. Indeed, we found many professionals endorsed beliefs not in line with current memory research, especially beliefs about repressed and recovered memories. Still, high percentages of professionals also reported memory beliefs related to false memory formation and suggestion that were in line with scientific evidence. Some professionals reported using interviewing methods for which there is no empirical validation. Because child protection professionals are often the first to interview children about allegations of abuse, the current findings identify a need for training in child forensic interviewing, including knowledge of human memory.

Knowledge of children's memory and forensic interviewing skills are crucial in child abuse investigations. Safe Home is the Dutch hotline where both professionals and citizens can report concerns about child abuse or domestic violence. Professionals at Safe Home often serve as first responders to determine the need for a child abuse investigation, protective measures and/or further police investigation. In this study, child protection professionals (N = 158) employed at Safe Home (i.e., behavioral scientists, medical doctors, and social workers) completed an online survey on beliefs about memory functioning and forensic interviewing. In line with earlier studies, we expected to find a lack of knowledge about memory functioning among Safe Home workers. Furthermore, we expected limited use of forensic interviewing methods that have received empirical support. Indeed, we found many professionals endorsed beliefs not in line with current memory research, especially beliefs about repressed and recovered memories. Still, high percentages of professionals also reported memory beliefs related to false memory formation and suggestion that were in line with scientific evidence. Some professionals reported using interviewing methods for which there is no empirical validation. Because child protection professionals are often the first to interview children about allegations of abuse, the current findings identify a need for training in child forensic interviewing, including knowledge of human memory.

In February 2017, Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, acknowledged in an interview that some 70 “new spiritual movements” were under investigation for abusive behavior committed by their founders. The number of cases that remain undetected is probably large. This article uses the example of these communities to analyze the precarious tension between vulnerability, vulnerance, and resilience. It draws on Céline Hoyeau’s excellent study of those founders of new spiritual movements in France who were later exposed as abusers. It also presents my research on the sacred in its dangerous connection to the victimizing sacrifice. My basic thesis is that exploring the link between vulnerability and resilience is not enough. Rather, vulnerance needs to be systematically included in the analyses. This new approach opens up a more complex understanding of abuse, cover-ups, and disclosure. It can tackle both the vulnerant ...

This article examines the sexual grooming of children and their caregivers in a wide variety of religious settings. We argue that unique aspects of religion facilitate institutional and interpersonal grooming in ways that often differ from forms of manipulation in secular settings. Drawing from Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism, and Seventh-day Adventism) and various sects (the Children of God, the Branch Davidians, the Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints, a Hindu ashram, and the Devadasis), we show how some religious institutions and leadership figures in them can slowly cultivate children and their caregivers into harmful and illegal sexual activity. A number of uniquely religious characteristics facilitate this cultivation, which includes: theodicies of legitimation; power, patriarchy, obedience, protection, and reverence towards authority figures; victims' fears about spiritual punishments; and scriptural uses to justify adult-child sex. 2008; Lanning, 2005. See also Darkness to Light, 2018b, about perpetrators) and oftentimes by someone whom they trust . Hence, in addition to abuse that sometimes occurs at the hands of strangers, children may be sexually abused by family members-familial abuse; by known individuals outside of the family-extrafamilial abuse; and in other settings such as in schools, sports teams, daycare facilities, and

Knowledge of children’s memory and forensic interviewing skills are crucial in child abuse investigations. Safe Home is the Dutch hotline where both professionals and citizens can report concerns about child abuse or domestic violence. Professionals at Safe Home often serve as first responders to determine the need for a child abuse investigation, protective measures and/or further police investigation. In this study, child protection professionals (N = 158) employed at Safe Home (i.e., behavioral scientists, medical doctors, and social workers) completed an online survey on beliefs about memory functioning and forensic interviewing. In line with earlier studies, we expected to find a lack of knowledge about memory functioning among Safe Home workers. Furthermore, we expected limited use of forensic interviewing methods that have received empirical support. Indeed, we found many professionals endorsed beliefs not in line with current memory research, especially beliefs about repress...

The reliability of children's testimonies Children's testimonies about abusive experiences can play a pivotal role in the criminal justice system. This is especially the case when other types of evidence (such as videos, technical traces) are absent. In such cases, it is imperative that children's testimonies accurately reflect what they have experienced. In the current article, the reliability of children's statements is discussed. We discuss what children can remember of traumatic incidents and elaborate on how children's false memories can be relatively easily evoked. Furthermore, we discuss how children can best be interviewed using scientifically supported interview protocols. Children's testimonies can be decisive in legal decision-making. Hence, it is of the utmost importance that these statements are reliable. Inleiding Verklaringen van kinderen kunnen een belangwekkende rol spelen in het strafrecht. Neem het volgende voorbeeld. Een negenjarig meisje wordt meerdere malen betast door haar vader. Ze vertelt hierover tegen haar moeder die de politie inschakelt. De politie besluit om het meisje te be-vragen in een kindvriendelijke verhoorstudio. Het meisje verklaart dan dat ze al jaren onzedelijk wordt betast door haar vader. Omdat er geen andere getuigen zijn betreffende het vermeende voorval heeft de verklaring van het meisje een centrale rol in de bewijslast tegenover haar vader.11 Het is

Knowledge of children’s memory and forensic interviewing skills are crucial in child abuse investigations. Safe Home is the Dutch hotline where both professionals and citizens can report concerns about child abuse or domestic violence. Professionals at Safe Home often serve as first responders to determine the need for a child abuse investigation,
protective measures and/or further police investigation. In this study, child protection professionals (N = 158) employed at Safe Home (i.e., behavioral scientists, medical doctors, and social workers) completed an online survey on beliefs about memory functioning and forensic interviewing. In line with earlier studies, we expected to find a
lack of knowledge about memory functioning among Safe Home workers. Furthermore, we expected limited use of forensic interviewing methods that have received empirical support. Indeed, we found many professionals endorsed beliefs not in line with current memory research, especially beliefs about repressed and recovered memories. Still,
high percentages of professionals also reported memory beliefs related to false memory formation and suggestion that were in line with scientific evidence. Some professionals reported using interviewing methods for which there is no empirical validation. Because child protection professionals are often the first to interview children about allegations of abuse, the current findings identify a need for training in child forensic interviewing, including knowledge of human memory.

De procedures en aanbevelingen die in twee handreikingen van het Openbaar Ministerie 'Samenwerken bij strafbare kindermishandeling' en 'Praten met kinderen bij mogelijk seksueel misbruik' worden beschreven zijn niet alleen onwetenschappelijk en onpraktisch, maar zelfs onethisch tegenover de kinderen in kwestie. De handreikingen dienen niet het belang van het kind. De auteurs doen daarom een aantal aanbevelingen voor verbetering van de procedures rond het interviewen van kinderen bij vermoedelijk (seksueel) misbruik. Op 5 april 2018 doet de moeder van Janou een melding bij Veilig Thuis. 2 Janou, een meisje van vier jaar, heeft tij-dens het spelen bij oma uitlatingen gedaan die zowel haar oma als haar moeder verontrusten. Janou deed uit-spraken als 'billen in je gezicht'. Toen oma vroeg wat Janou hiermee bedoelde, gaf zij aan dat papa soms met zijn billen boven haar hangt, dat zijn haartjes dan in haar gezicht kriebelen en dat ze dit aan niemand mag vertel-len. Anders wordt papa boos. Moeder doet een melding bij Veilig Thuis op advies van haar huisarts. Veilig Thuis start een onderzoek en vraagt informatie op bij de huis-arts en de basisschool van Janou. Hierbij komen geen bij-zonderheden naar voren. In een gesprek met Veilig Thuis ontkent vader alle beschuldigingen. Op 9 april heeft Vei-lig Thuis contact met de politie. De politie geeft aan dat er nu geen redenen zijn voor een strafrechtelijk onder-zoek en dat een kindverhoor bij de politie niet aan de orde is. Veilig Thuis besluit om zelf met Janou te spreken. Het kindgesprek vindt op 12 april plaats met behulp van een wetenschappelijk gevalideerd interviewprotocol (het NICHD-protocol). 3 Janou vertelt over de seksuele han-delingen die ze bij haar vader moet verrichten. Ze komt ook met nieuwe details, bijvoorbeeld dat ze een snoepje krijgt van papa als het misbruik is afgelopen. Naar aanlei-ding van dit gesprek blijft vader ontkennen waarna Veilig Thuis overgaat tot aangifte bij de politie. Veilig Thuis wil hulpverlening inzetten maar er mag geen hulpverlening worden ingezet totdat een kinderverhoor heeft plaatsge-vonden. Veilig Thuis verzoekt het OM en politie om zo snel mogelijk een kindverhoor in te plannen, zodat zo weinig mogelijk informatie verloren gaat. Het inplannen van het kindverhoor duurt ruim twee weken, waarna Veilig Thuis te horen krijgt dat er niets is uitgekomen en dat de benodigde hulpverlening kan starten. Tot op heden heeft Veilig Thuis niets meer vernomen over de uitkomst van het strafrechtelijk onderzoek. Deze casusbeschrijving is illustratief voor hoe in Nederland bij vermoedens van seksueel kindermisbruik wordt gehandeld door verschillende ketenpartners (Veilig Thuis, politie, OM). Hierdoor gaat cruciale informatie ver-loren voor het feitenonderzoek en eventuele strafrechtelij-ke vervolging. Daarnaast zorgt deze situatie voor het betreffende kind voor veel stress die voorkomen zou kunnen worden als de samenwerking optimaler wordt ingericht. De wijze waarop de verschillende ketenpartners met elkaar samenwerken in dit type zaken is vastgelegd in verschillende handreikingen ('Samenwerken bij strafba-re kindermishandeling' en 'Praten met kinderen bij moge-We laten zien dat de hand-reikingen niet de belangen van het kind behartigen en zelfs averechts kunnen werken

This chapter describes the fluid methodologies used in a narrative research study involving interviewing children identified as gifted and also having a disability-twice exceptional children. Within the qualitative literature encompassing young people identified as twice exceptional, there is limited discussion of interview techniques and protocols used by interviewers in obtaining their narrative data or field texts. The researchers often skimmed over this section with phrases like 'semi-structured interviews were used to obtain data', with little detail surrounding the actual interview process, the creation of the field texts, and subsequent narratives for analysis. In order to guide ongoing research in the area of twice exceptionality, it is important to develop and explain the steps and processes used to obtain qualitative interview data with these young people, and further detail how this might be analysed through narrative methods. In this chapter we discuss the development of an interview protocol which was flexible and dynamic, and able to respond to the needs of both researcher and participant in conducting field research with twice exceptional children. The focus of this chapter is on how we interviewed the children, with some insights presented into our process of narrative analysis through description of one participant's narrative via a story constellations approach.

Religion is an under-studied factor affecting children's sexual victimization and their willingness to discuss such experiences. In this qualitative study, 39 child forensic interviewers and child advocacy center (CAC) directors in the United States discussed religious influences on children's sexual abuse experiences, their relationships to CACs, and their disclosures in the forensic setting. Participants reported both harmonious and dissonant interactions between religiously observant children and families on one hand and child advocacy centers on the other. Themes emerged related to abuse in religious contexts and religious justifications for abuse; clergy and religious supports for disclosures as well as suppression of disclosures; and the ways CACS accommodate religious diversity and forge collaborations with clergy. Participants discussed a wide range of religions. Recommendations for practice and research are included.