When interviewing a child or minor sexual assault victim, which approach is recommended?

• A. Use child-specific interview protocols, separate from alleged offender, avoid leading questions, ensure presence of guardians as policy allows.
• B. Question child in same room as alleged offender to deter lying.
• C. Use adult interview protocols with no guardian present.
• D. Interview child with questions designed to lead to confession.

Answer: (A)

When interviewing a child who may have experienced sexual abuse, the priority is to gather information in a way that is truthful, non-traumatizing, and reliable. This is achieved by using developmentally appropriate, child-focused forensic interview techniques that are structured to let the child speak in their own words.

A child-specific interview protocol provides a clear framework: it uses open-ended questions, neutral language, and non-leading prompts. This helps the child describe what happened without being shaped by the interviewer, reducing the risk of false memories or altered testimony. Conducting the interview away from the alleged offender protects the child from intimidation or influence and maintains the integrity of what they are saying. Having a guardian or parent present, when policy allows, provides emotional support, ensures the child’s welfare is safeguarded, and helps supervise the interview environment.

This approach aligns with best practices to maximize both the child’s well-being and the accuracy of the information obtained. It avoids the pitfalls of interviewing a child in the offender’s presence, applying adult interviewing methods that don’t account for a child’s developmental stage, or using questions designed to lead to a confession, all of which can distort the child’s account and cause harm.