Category: Newsletter Archive

It has long been considered, and is widely accepted as best practices to respond to cases of child abuse as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT

There is a large and growing body of research documenting that corporal punishment is not an effective form of discipline,2with numerous medical and mental health bodies discouraging the practice.

Did you know that 63 percent of teens text every day? Texting now surpasses other daily communication, including cell phone calls, faceto-face socializing outside of school and emailing, according to the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project

It has long been considered, and is widely accepted as best practices to respond to cases of child abuse as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT)

It has long been considered, and is widely accepted as best practices to respond to cases of child abuse as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT

The trial of Jerry Sandusky has caused parents and others entrusted with the care of children to ask a number of questions about child sexual abuse and about the role of parents in keeping children saf

While training, research and discussion in
the area of child abuse investigations and
interviews frequently focus on the forensic
interviews of alleged child victims of sexual
abuse, many of the skills and techniques
utilized in sexual abuse forensic interviews

Jurors living in a media age expect sparks to fly when a witness is being cross-examined

The recent child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State University, in which multiple, well-educated professionals declined to report clear evidence of maltreatment, is not an isolated instance

Law enforcement officers and prosecutors often struggle to enforce the criminal code against the patrons and owners of sexually exploitive businesses such as strip clubs and adult bookstore

Over the years, forensic interviewers have debated how much information they need (or want) prior to interviewing a child. Some interviewers want all the intake and case information about the child before
going into the interview and other interviewers want very limited information.

Although churches, synagogues, temples and other places of worship are increasingly implementing policies to protect children from abuse, the policies adopted are often inadequate and of limited value.

As a forensic interviewer, I know firsthand how difficult it is to sit in a room with a child and conduct a forensic interview. Many challenges can arise during an interview because each child is different, each circumstance is different and each conversation is different.

Court preparation is beneficial for the children required to testify in a courtroom. The purpose of a child-witness court preparation program is to assist the child witness in her or his ability to testify truthfully and effectively in a courtroom

Ample research evidence has shown that prevention programs for parents and caregivers of children can reduce the risk of child abuse and prevent the recurrence of physical child abuse.

In the past five years, a number of child protection leaders and organizations have held discussions or even offered proposals for the credentialing or certification of forensic interviewers

Sexual Assault Nurse Examination (SANE) is a relatively young discipline that has served as one of the biggest leaps in criminal justice and the proper treatment of victim survivors in decades

In cases of child sexual abuse in which a forensic interview is a critical part of the prosecutor’s case, defense attorneys often call a defense “expert” to critique the child’s statement and the manner in which this evidence was collected

Studies demonstrate that child protection workers, law enforcement officers, forensic interviewers and therapists can experience vicarious trauma (VT) as a result of hearing about traumatic events and helping or wanting to help someone who has suffered trauma

In the past decade, a number of child protection leaders and organizations have held discussions or even offered proposals for the credentialing or certification of forensic interviewers

In the past decade, there has been a national debate as to whether or not forensic interviewers should develop themselves as a profession complete with standards, testing,and an ethical code

This month, a federal district court issued an opinion regarding a lawsuit against a CAC and forensic interviewer for alleged violations of the constitution

Much has been written about the short and long term impact of child abuse on the victim’s mind and body

Imagine you are the victim of a crime.Initially you are not aware a crime has beencommitted because you thought it wassomething that just happened, like anaccident or a mistake.

In many cases of child sexual and physical abuse, perpetrators use religious or spiritual themes to justify their abuse of a child.