The Influence of Narrative Practice Techniques on Child Behaviors in Forensic Interviews

Abstract

During investigations of child sexual abuse, forensic interviewers must maintain a delicate balance of providing support for the child while collecting forensic evidence about the abuse allegation required for credible evidence for court purposes. The use of narrative practice techniques can achieve both goals by creating conditions that facilitate the possibility that children will feel safe enough to provide detailed descriptions of the alleged abuse. This article reports findings from an evaluation of a change in practice using the CornerHouse Forensic Interview Protocol in which narrative practice techniques were incorporated into the interview format. Findings show that children provided more detailed accounts of abuse when interviewers used open-ended questions and supportive statements through narrative practice.

KEYWORDS:

• child sexual abuse
• forensic interviews
• narrative practice
• content analysis
• children’s advocacy centers
• CornerHouse Forensic Interview Protocol
• child victims
• disclosure

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gwendolyn D. Anderson

Gwendolyn D. Anderson, PhD, MSW, is an assistant professor in the Social Work Department at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Her research interests include child sexual abuse prevention policy, global sexual violence, and child welfare outcomes for children who have been sexually abused.

Jennifer N. Anderson

Jennifer N. Anderson, MSW, LISW, is the associate director of CornerHouse, a Children’s Advocacy Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has worked for 12 years serving alleged victims of abuse and violence and their families.

Jane F. Gilgun

Jane F. Gilgun, PhD, LICSW, is a professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She does research on the meanings of violence to perpetrators, the development of violent behaviors, and how persons overcome adversities. She has a particular interest in understanding and preventing sexual abuse violence in families and communities.