Interviewing Children about Sexual Abuse: Controversies and Best Practice

by Kathleen Coulborn Faller

Overview

A core issue for professionals responsible for addressing sexual abuse is how to correctly identify cases. Interviewing Children About Sexual Abuse: Controversies and Best Practice critically reviews the research and practice on the spectrum of issues related to interviewing the sexually abused child. Its chapters cover all the most important topics that interviewers must keep in mind, from the accuracy of children's memories to appropriate types of questions to include to the use of interview aids, and within each chapter is a comprehensive review of research and practice, leading to conclusions that can be used to guide practice in this most sensitive of assignments.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199725403
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/11/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	793 KB

About the Author

Kathleen Coulborn Faller, Ph.D., A.C.S.W., is Professor of Social Work, Marion Elizabeth Blue Chair in Children and Families, and Director of the Family Assessment Clinic at the University of Michigan.

Table of Contents

Contributors     xv
Forensic and Clinical Interviewer Roles in Child Sexual Abuse   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     3
Children's Memory and Suggestibility   Erna Olafson     10
Models for Assessing Child Sexual Abuse   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     35
Interviewer Objectivity and Allegations of Sexual Abuse   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     44
Number of Child Interviews   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     50
Documentation of the Interview   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     58
Interview Structure, Protocol, and Guidelines   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     66
Questioning Techniques   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     90
Media for Interviewing Children   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     110
Special Considerations for Cases Involving Young Children   Kathleen Coulborn Faller   Sandra K. Hewitt     142
Interviewing Children With Special Needs   Deborah Davies   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     152
Conducting Culturally Competent Sexual Abuse Interviews With Children From Diverse Racial, Cultural, and Socioeconomic Backgrounds   Lisa A. Pontes   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     164
Children Who Do Not Want to Disclose   Kathleen CoulbornFaller     175
False Allegations of Sexual Abuse   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     191
Standardized Tests and Measures   William N. Friedrich   Erna Olafson   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     207
Criteria for Deciding About the Likelihood of Sexual Abuse   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     226
Formulating Conclusions About Sexual Abuse   Kathleen Coulborn Faller     245
References     255
Index     299

Editorial Reviews

"While change is to be expected in this field, a milestone is needed from time to time and this is such a work. This book belongs in every clinic, every Child Advocacy Center and every agency in which children may be interviewed about sexual abuse." - David L. Chadwick, MD, Director Emeritus, Chadwick Center for Children & Families, Children's Hospital - San Diego

"Combining the best of the empirical research with years of practical experience talking to children, the authors provide interviewers practical ideas to improve the quality of their work with vulnerable children. This book is an important contribution to the field of child protection." — John E.B. Myers, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Law, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

"This book is a valuable new resource for anyone who interviews children for legal investigations. Kathleen Faller and her contributing authors have given all of us who do this work a great new update and discussion of the latest research and controversies on child forensic interviewing. I recommend it highly!" - David L. Corwin, MD, Medical Director, Primary Children's Center for Safe and Healthy Families, and Professor and Chief, Pediatrics Division of Child Protection and Family Health, University of Utah School of Medicine

"If you assess allegations of child sexual abuse, this book will be your best friend! Here you will find the most relevant and recent assessment information based on critical evaluation of research and practice." - Barbara W. Boat, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati

"This book creates a valuable link between practical experience, empirical research, and the unique legal constraints of child interviewing, and will serve as a important resource for those called up to accurately and sensitively gather information from children." Charles Wilson, MSSW, Executive Director, Chadwick Center for Children & Families Children's Hospital - San Diego

From the Publisher