CornerHouse Presents Give Them A Voice

Forensic Interviews of Child Victims and Witnesses

Give Them a Voice consists of a video and study guide that can serve to provide child protection, law enforcement, legal professionals, forensic interviewers and students with demonstrations of forensically sound interviewing practices, yet still conveys a realistic semblance of the challenges presented in actual forensic interviews.

Highly trained forensic interviewers and professional actors perform the mock interviews depicted. The adult actors who portray the alleged victims are not only skilled performers; they have also received training in child development and in the types of responses that may be typical for child witnesses and victims. Due to the expertise of these performers, the interviews go far beyond role-playing and are the closest possible simulation of actual forensic interviews.

The accompanying study guide consists of discussion questions that can provide individual users, as well as groups of professionals, the opportunity to review and discuss issues related to forensic interviewing and is designed to teach viewers how to analyze and learn from the techniques applied. Specific questions are provided to help professionals explore the issues that each interview example presents. Give Them a Voice is not intended for use in lieu of forensic interview training. While Give Them a Voice can be helpful to professionals who want to watch demonstrations of forensically sound interviews, it is most appropriately used in conjunction with a thorough forensic interview training program that has a clinical and research basis.

Through the use of this video, students can obtain a basic introduction to forensic interviewing. Professionals charged with the investigation of child abuse can learn new techniques, sharpen skills and improve the overall quality of their own interviews, ultimately resulting in better outcomes for children.

To order the video and study guide, download an order form here.