Practitioner Perspectives on Child Sexual Exploitation: Rapport Building With Young People

Facility dogs during police investigative interviews: Does it decrease children's reluctance?

BACKGROUND

Using facility dogs during police investigative interviews is a recent practice in Canada. While the common use of this intervention is decidedly an indicator of sympathy capital, its utility in this context is relatively unknown and no study has specifically evaluated the effect of using facility dogs on children's collaboration during investigative interviews.

OBJECTIVE

This study compares police investigative interviews conducted in the presence of a service dog (n = 46) to those without (n = 45) to examine the effects of the presence of and interactions with a dog on children's reluctance.

PARTICIPANTS, SETTING AND METHODS

The interviews were done with children aged 3 to 15 years and were coded for children's reluctance, their physical interactions with and comments about the dog, as well as for investigator's verbal support.

RESULTS

No significant group differences were found in terms of children's overall reluctance (p = 0.700), though the children accompanied by a dog showed significantly more digression (p = 0.008). Among the children who were accompanied by a dog, those who interacted with the dog more frequently (p = 0.035) and who made more comments about the dog (p < 0.001) showed more signs of reluctance, even after accounting for child age and investigator support. No association was observed between children's reluctance and the total duration of dog-child physical interactions (p = 0.097).

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to an enhanced understanding of the usefulness of facility dogs and the factors that influence children's reluctance during investigative interviews.

Counseling for Young People and Families Affected by Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: A Qualitative Investigation of the Perspective of Young People, Parents, and Professionals

Despite growing awareness of the negative impact of child sexual exploitation on young people's psychological, emotional and relational lives, little is known about how counseling can support young people and their families. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of counseling for young people and parents affected by child sexual exploitation and abuse, with a view to examining what facilitates progress, from the perspective of young people, parents and professionals. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 young people, 8 parents and 7 professionals and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings suggest that through counseling, young people experienced affective and relational improvements that were attributed to the process. Characteristics of the counseling relationship that facilitated progress included being able to talk openly in a caring, non-judgmental and unpressurized environment, as well as receiving advice, techniques or solutions within a holistic approach. Facets of service delivery were also highlighted, including the provision of confidentiality, flexibility and consistency, along with a multi-agency approach that promoted engagement. Perceived obstacles to progress included resistance at the outset and service location issues.

[Structured interviewing of children in suspected child endangerment cases: The German version of the revised NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol]

Interviewing a child of a suspected abuse (physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, Munchausen-by-proxy syndrome) is subject to complex risks of suggestion and distortion. The use of a standardized interview protocol as part of the investigation can significantly increase the scope and validity of the child's report in different settings (for example, pediatrics, child welfare services, court).In this paper, the interview protocol provided by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in its revised and complete version is presented in German and made available for free clinical use in the Appendix. The NICHD interview protocol is the most prominent and most carefully evaluated tool. It is currently considered as a reference for the assessment of child abuse. The protocol follows certain guiding principles. At the beginning of the interview, basic rules are explained to the child (e. g. telling the truth, correct the interviewer if necessary). The focus is placed on detailed exploration of critical abusive episodes. Open questions are asked instead of closed questions. A good rapport has to be established before moving to the actual interview topic.In addition to a technically correct application of the protocol, further competencies of the interviewer are essential to ensure the validity of the findings, such as: sensitive contact with the child; knowledge of the typical sources of bias and suggestion; awareness and control of personal impulses, motives and implicit assumptions; a hypothesis-led approach; and developmentally appropriate interpretation and evaluation of the child's report.

A Case Study Perspective: The Experiences of Young Persons Testifying to Child Sexual Exploitation in British Criminal Court

Three young persons who gave evidence about child sexual exploitation in criminal court using various testimonial supports were interviewed about their testimony experiences. The witnesses reported that they felt extreme pressure to remember events accurately and cared greatly about being believed. None reported their own coping strategies to alleviate stress and took comfort breaks only after they cried on the stand. Defense attorney questions were reportedly repetitive, rapid, confusing, and focused on secondary content rather than the central criminal acts. The witnesses mentioned dissatisfaction in having supportive social workers whom they trusted leave the case and be replaced.