Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Practice

Although social workers receive training in interviewing children, generally this training is inconsistent with forensic practice. There is an emerging body of research about how to elicit accurate narratives from children, which is a main goal of forensic interviewing. This research includes analogue studies and studies of children reported as possible victims of abuse.

This mini-course will critically analyze this growing body of research and will demonstrate how it applies to cases of suspected abuse, by use of simulations and videotapes of interviews of children who may have been abused. Rapport-building, appropriate questioning strategies, and use of supportive comments will be covered.