Forensic Interviewer Training is offered thru the Childhood Trust. The Childhood Trust is a joint effort of CCHMC and the University of Cincinnati that offers training and consultation on the intervention and treatment of child abuse and family violence. For more information about training registration please see the Trauma Treatment Training Center training catalog.
Introduction
Every community in Ohio is combating child sexual abuse. Unfortunately, the prevalence in Ohio of child sexual abuse per 1000 children is higher than the national average. The forensic interview is the most valuable tool available to identify the child victim of sexual abuse. An effort to assure that forensic interviews done throughout Ohio follow best practice is a worthy goal.
This document was written to encourage and facilitate the practice of video recording child forensic interviews within Ohio Children’s Advocacy Centers and by other Ohio agencies that conduct this type of interview. The authors of this document believe that best practice includes video recording the statements made by children regarding child sexual abuse allegations. In many of Ohio’s Counties there are both proponents and opponents regarding this practice. We will try to convince the opponents that videotaping has more “pros than cons”, and we will supply the proponents of videotaping the tools, protocols and suggestions needed to make videotaping a success.
- There are many challenges faced by communities regarding this practice.
- There may be lack of consensus that video recording is in the best interest of the child
- There are technical challenges to creating a quality video recording
- There are system changes that must occur to protect and make available the recording
- There are policies to write regarding the recording dissemination and use
- There are legal challenges to the use of the recording
This document will address these issues in a concise manner. It can be used as a guide or a reference. It need not be read from start to finish or in any particular order.
The authors suggest that best practice in child abuse investigations is to work in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) that consists of child protective services, law enforcement, prosecutors, expert medical providers, mental health clinicians, victim’s advocates, and, in some communities, child advocacy center personnel. Recording protocols, nor any other protocol, that is used in a child abuse investigation or prosecution, should be implemented without the input and agreement of the multidisciplinary team. Sample protocols are included here, as well as contact information to other resources that may be able to assist communities in developing multidisciplinary teams and protocol development. Further, it is recommended that those who interview children have participated in a recognized forensic interview training program and ideally participate in a regular peer review process.
This manual was completed with the cooperation and generous contributions of Child Advocacy Centers throughout the State of Ohio.
To read more download the PDF listed below.