Professional References for Interviewing?

Protocols for interviewing children of sexual abuse, best practices, standards

• I am doing a research project and I am looking for protocols on interviewing children where there have been allegations of sexual abuse. I am particularly interested in finding associations and organizations who publish best practices for doing sexual abuse investigations, the do's and don'ts. I am especially interested in standards related to allegations that arise in the context of custody disputes. I am looking for as many protocols and references as can be found. Not that interested in books so much as I am on organizations such as the APSAC American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children which may publish guidelines on what constitutes good interviewing techniques for investigation of allegations of sexual child abuse.

• Answer:

  Dear goffy116: Thank you for your question. I have found quite a few resources that fit what you are looking for. In order of relevance: The National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglict Information has an online version of their publication "Child Sexual Abuse: Intervention and Treatment Issues" online. There is an entire chapter entitled "Techniques for the Childre Interview And A Methodology For Substantiating Sexual Abuse." I have linked to this chapter directly below: http://www.calib.com/nccanch/pubs/usermanuals/sexabuse/method.cfm The entire publication is available here: http://www.calib.com/nccanch/pubs/usermanuals/sexabuse/index.cfm I know you said you weren't interested in books, but the above links points to publications (including guidelines) published by APSAC. Unforutunately, they are not free and must be ordered from them. Of particular interest to you would be the "guidelines" section on their page. Here the page with descriptions of their publications: http://www.apsac.org/public.html You can order from them by filling out their order form, which is available here: http://www.apsac.org/APSAC2002ProfessionalPublicationsOrderForm.doc I was able to find a copy of APSAC's "Recommended Guidelines for Interviewing Children in Cases of Alleged Sexual Abuse here: http://www.ipt-forensics.com/journal/volume6/j6_3_2.htm Also, APSAC offers handouts online from their workshops in .doc format. Here are direct links to the relevant ones: Forensically Sound (and Defensible) Interview Techniques http://www.apsac.org/Interview%20handouts.doc Forensic Interview Protocols http://www.apsac.org/Faller%20Critique%20of%20Forensic%20Interview%20Protocols.doc Another significant reference is available at the "Internet Resource for Forensic Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse Cases", which is available here: http://childabuse.gactr.uga.edu/chronological/chronological.phtml In addition to this, the National District Attorneys Association offers articles with tips and strategies for child sexual abuse forensic interviews: The Use of Anatomical Diagrams in Child Sexual Abuse Forensic Interviews http://www.ndaa.org/publications/newsletters/update_volume_15_number_5_2002.html Cultural Sensitivity in the Forensic Interview Process http://www.ndaa.org/publications/newsletters/update_volume_15_number_1_2002.html Using Anatomical Dolls In Child Sexual Abuse Forensic Interviews http://www.ndaa.org/publications/newsletters/update_volume_13_number_8_2000.html Defending the Investigative Interview http://www.ndaa.org/publications/newsletters/apri_update_vol_12_no_2_1999.html Google Search Strategy: "sexual abuse" "forensic interview" "best practices" OR "standards" OR "tips" OR "protocols" OR "guidelines" ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&q=%22sexual+abuse%22+%22forensic+interview%22+%22best+practices%22+OR+%22standards%22+OR+%22tips%22++OR+%22protocols%22+OR+%22guidelines%22 I hope this was the information you were looking for. If you need any clarifications, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to assist you further. Best Regards, blader-ga