Suggestions for Improving Interviews in Child Protection Agencies

This article identifies difficulties that can arise during sexual abuse interviews in child protection agencies. Practical recommendations are offered to interviewers, trainers, and child protection administrators. The authors suggest ways to improve the interview process and the interview environment, emphasizing the need to improve rapport building, increase the use of open-ended questions, eliminate unnecessary procedures, enhance the physical environment, facilitate documentation through the use of tapes and transcripts, and train and supervise interviewers.