During clinical interviews with children who have been allegedly maltreated it is important for clinicians to understand several things about children and the interview process. Please discuss at least four things a clinician should know and incorporate in their findings when interviewing allegedly maltreated children.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Clinicians should know that the consistency or inconsistency of a child’s report does not necessarily equate with accuracy or inaccuracy of the report. The effects of repeated interviewing vary depending on how the child was interviewed and how much time elapsed between the events and the interview. Children who were sexually abused sometimes do recant, and this does not mean that it didn’t happen. Younger children are more likely to vulnerable to suggestive techniques and more likely to be provide incorrect information when suggestive techniques are used.