Why the Forensic Interview is the Foundation of Child Abuse Investigations
Monday kicked off National Forensic Interviewers Week – a week-long recognition for the forensic interviewers at Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) for the work they’re doing with children daily when there is a disclosure or suspicion of abuse. This Forensic Interviewer Week, we honor all the compassionate professionals who provide children with a safe space to share their stories.
Last year, West Virginia’s 21 CACs served 4,734 children. Of those, 4,603 forensic interviews were conducted with 66% of children disclosing abuse. Locally, the Child and Youth Advocacy Center (CYAC) conducted 152 forensic interviews.
Forensic interviews are the foundation for the Multidisciplinary Team; including child abuse investigation, prosecution, child protection, and implementation of appropriate services, and may also be the beginning of the road toward healing for many children and families. The way a child is treated during the initial forensic interview may significantly impact the child’s understanding of, and ability to respond to, the intervention process and/or criminal justice system.
Every CAC adheres to research-based forensic interview guidelines. They must monitor these guidelines over time to ensure they reflect current practice and best standards. At a minimum, any professional in the role of forensic interviewer must have initial and ongoing forensic interviewer training that is approved by the National Children’s Alliance.
Forensic interviews are coordinated to avoid duplicative interviews and are conducted in a manner that is legally sound and of a neutral, fact-finding nature. This aims to prevent the added trauma to a child of re-telling their story to multiple agencies. When a child is unable or unwilling to provide information regarding any concern about abuse, other interventions to assess the children’s safety and experience are required.
“At the Child and Youth Advocacy Center (CYAC) a forensic interview is often one of the very first steps after an allegation of abuse. Our highly trained professionals provide a safe, neutral, and trauma-informed space where children can share their experiences in their own words, at their own pace. We are so proud of our team and all forensic interviewers serving children in their time of need.” – Francesca Zarcone, Executive Director and Forensic Interviewer (CYAC)
