NCJ Number
56040
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
USING A SERIES OF VIGNETTES, THIS FILM INSTRUCTS SOCIAL WORKERS, TEACHERS, MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN TECHNIQUES FOR INTERVIEWING CHILDREN SUSPECTED OF BEING ABUSED OR NEGLECTED.
Abstract
INTERVIEWING THE ABUSED CHILD, THE SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILD, OR THE NEGLECTED CHILD IS DIFFICULT AND REQUIRES THAT THE PROFESSIONAL ESTABLISH A LEVEL OF TRUST WITH THE VICTIM BEFORE ASKING A SERIES OF QUESTIONS. INTERVIEWERS SHOULD NEVER EVIDENCE SURPRISE OR SHOCK OR REACT IN A MANNER THAT MIGHT REFLECT GUILT ON THE CHILD. THEY SHOULD REMEMBER DURING THE INTERVIEW THAT THE ABUSER IS OFTEN SOMEONE CLOSE TO AND LOVED BY THE CHILD AND THEY SHOULD BE CAREFUL NOT TO MAKE CRITICAL REMARKS ABOUT THE ABUSER. INTERVIEWERS SHOULD LOOK FOR INDICATORS SUCH AS BRUISES ON THE BACK OF THE CHILD RATHER THAN THE FRONT, MULTIPLE BONE FRACTURES, BEHAVIORAL CHANGES SUCH AS SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL, AND FALLING GRADES. IN SUSPECTED NEGLECT CASES, SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD NOTICE THE GENERAL CONDITIONS OF THE HOUSE, ABSENCE OF PARENTS, LETHARGIC OR HYPERACTIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE CHILD, OR THE PRESENCE OF A TEENAGER OR OTHER SIBLING LEFT IN CHARGE OF SMALL CHILDREN FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. WHEN SEXUAL ABUSE IS SUSPECTED, INTERVIEWERS MUST BE PARTICULARLY CAREFUL NOT TO CONDEMN THE ABUSE, KEEP THEIR FEELINGS UNDER CONTROL, AND HELP THE CHILD IN EXPRESSING HIMSELF OR HERSELF BY ASKING APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS AND USING CORRECT AND SPECIFIC TERMINOLOGY. INTERVIEWERS SHOULD REASSURE THE CHILD THAT THE ABUSE IS NOT THEIR FAULT AND GIVE THE CHILD CONTINUED SUPPORT. (DAG)