https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1744-0833
![Sample our Law journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5942/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Law.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
We explored adults’ perceptions of evidence-based interview frameworks in the context of sexual assault, in order to examine stakeholders’ suggestions that police interviews are not sensitive to complainants psychological and emotional needs. Participants (N= 91) watched a video of an implied sexual assault and were randomly assigned to one of three interview conditions: the cognitive interview (CI), a streamlined interview for vulnerable witnesses (SIM), and the same streamlined interview with narrative practice (SIM+P). After the interview, participants evaluated their perceptions of the interview process and interviewer. Their non-verbal behaviors during the interviews were also compared across interview frameworks. CI participants reported more information than SIM and SIM+P participants, but the reverse was true when interview length was controlled. CI participants perceived the interview as more effortful than SIM participants, but there were no other differences in perceptions or non-verbal behavior. Implications for interviewers are discussed.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Dr. Meaghan Danby for her assistance with data collection and Dr. Nina Westera (deceased May 25, 2017) for study design.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 We opted to use the term “complainant”throughout this study to signify the point in which a complaint has been formally brought to the attention of the police. The term is also used to include bystander witnesses of sexual assault, who may also require sensitive interviewing. Elsewhere we use the term “victim-survivor” to acknowledge individuals who have experienced a sexual assault and have or are going through the process of recovery.