Forensic Interviews
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Abuse, neglect, sexual abuse - unthinkable crimes that are extremely personal in nature and often go unreported. The victim experiences shame, fear, guilt and embarrassment - feelings that often prevent a report from being made or charges being filed.
Forensic interviews with victims of these intimate crimes are conducted by trained staff at Holly's House. Our facility is a safe, confidential, and comfortable environment. Representatives from law enforcement or the Department of Child services are present to observe the interview thus limiting the need for victims to continually revisit their experience through the repeated interviews. |
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The goal of the Forensic Interview is to minimize emotional trauma for the victim by gathering as much detail from a single interview in a setting that is designed for the victim's physical and emotional comfort.
What is a Forensic Interview?
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A forensic interview is an interview method by which a neutral, trained professional (a forensic interviewer or detective) gathers factual information from a victim through a conversation that takes into account the victim’s emotional needs, age and and developmental level.
The goal of the forensic interview is to gather as many facts as possible about the allegation of abuse in an unbiased, non-threatening, non-leading and victim-friendly manner that minimizes the emotional trauma for the victim. |
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What is a Forensic Interviewer?
The Forensic Interviewers at Holly's House have advanced training in techniques for interviewing children of all ages. Interviews with children proceed at the child’s pace and are conducted in a non-threatening and developmentally appropriate manner. The interviews take place in a comfortable and child-friendly room, which minimizes the child's stress and allows the interviewer to gather accurate information regarding the allegations of abuse or a crime the child has witnessed.
Interviews with adult victims are completed by a law enforcement officer using similar conversational techniques. Holly's House has an interview room for use by adults which focuses on the victim's physical and emotional comfort.
Interviews with adult victims are completed by a law enforcement officer using similar conversational techniques. Holly's House has an interview room for use by adults which focuses on the victim's physical and emotional comfort.
What to expect if your child is being interviewed
Learn more about what to expect as your child is being interviewed.