What to Know Before the Forensic Interview
If you are a caregiver or guardian accompanying an individual to an interview appointment, here’s what you need to know:
How long will the interview last?
CornerHouse never sets a time limit for interviews. We like to give people as long as they need to talk about their experience. However, we do recommend planning to spend at least 3 hours at CornerHouse. This includes time before the interview when the CornerHouse interviewer will meet with you prior to meeting with your loved one, the interview itself, and time after the interview to meet with investigators, ask any questions you may have, and go over next steps. Interviews will typically get started 10-20 minutes after the family’s arrival.
What time do I need to arrive for the interview?
There is no need to be early. Please arrive at the scheduled time given to you.
Who is present in the room during the interview? Can I be in there too?
No, caregivers and observers are not allowed to sit in, as the interview is conducted in a confidential manner. This preserves the integrity of the interview and bolsters the credibility of information provided. Professionals connected to the investigation are permitted to observe the interview from a different room. This may include law enforcement Child Protection and a county attorney.
What if the individual doesn’t want to talk?
While the forensic interview is an important opportunity to be heard, the interview process is always led by the individual. No one is pressured to share any information, and individuals are given the choice to participate.
How can I help someone prepare for the interview?
Our advocates can conduct a welcome call prior to a CornerHouse interview to go over the process and answer any additional questions you may have.
Here are a few important notes to prepare an individual for their visit to CornerHouse
Do not tell the individual what to say in the interview but let them know that they have your permission to talk about anything that may have happened.
Do not ask them any questions about what may have happened or make any promises about what may happen as a result of the interview.
It is okay to listen if they want to talk about their experience, but you can also reassure them that it is okay to wait until they get to CornerHouse.
Reassure them that anything they want to say is okay and CornerHouse is a safe place to talk.
Let them know that the person they will be speaking to is a skilled professional trained to listen to individuals with different experiences.
Where should I park when I get to CornerHouse?
Our parking lot has several spots reserved for families. If those are full, you are more than welcome to park in the spots labeled for CornerHouse staff. If all the spots are full, the street parking around CornerHouse is one hour parking, therefore if you have to park on the street, we suggest parking on 11 th Ave S., which doesn’t have a parking time limit. Feel free to check in with staff upon arrival for parking guidance.
Can I drop off my child / leave CornerHouse while my child is in the interview?
We ask that caregivers remain on CornerHouse property at all times. As the interview is led by the individual, they have the ability to determine the duration of the interview and an additional supportive presence may be needed.
What if I get hungry while at CornerHouse?
Our staff have light snacks and refreshments available.
Do we need to bring anything?
Unless instructed by your coordinating investigator, you do not need to bring anything with you for your appointment at CornerHouse. The individual being interviewed may bring a comfort item (such as a blanket or stuffed animal).
What if I need to cancel/reschedule/confirm an appointment time?
Individuals should reach out to the investigator who made the appointment with CornerHouse if there are scheduling conflicts.
To protect the confidentiality and safety of our clients, CornerHouse does not provide appointment information to callers over the phone.
We want your family’s experience at CornerHouse to be as comfortable as possible, so please reach out to CornerHouse if you need anything else before or after the interview.