Language competence in forensic interviews for suspected child sexual abuse

dc.contributor.authorFontes, L. A., & Tishelman, A. C.
dc.date.accessioned2016-07-22T18:37:41Z
dc.date.available2016-07-22T18:37:41Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractForensic interviews with children for suspected child sexual abuse require meeting children “where they are” in terms of their developmental level, readiness to disclose, culture, and language. The field lacks research indicating how to accommodate children's diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This article focuses on language competence, defined here as the ability of an organization and its personnel (in this case, Child Advocacy Centers and forensic interviewers) to communicate effectively with clients regardless of their preferred language(s). In this qualitative study, 39 U.S. child forensic interviewers and child advocacy center directors discussed their experiences, practices, and opinions regarding interviews with children and families who are not native speakers of English. Topics include the importance of interviewing children in their preferred language, problems in interpreted interviews, bilingual interviews, and current and recommended procedures. Recommendations for practice and further research are included. (Author Abstract)en_US
dc.identifier.citationFontes, L. A., & Tishelman, A. C. (2016). Language competence in forensic interviews for suspected child sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 58, 51-62.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.academia.edu/download/46756527/language_competence_in_CSA_forensic_interviews.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/2851
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherChild Abuse & Neglecten_US
dc.subjectchild abuseen_US
dc.subjectcultural competencyen_US
dc.subjectchildren's advocacy centersen_US
dc.subjectimmigrantsen_US
dc.subjectforensic interviewen_US
dc.subjectimplicationsen_US
dc.titleLanguage competence in forensic interviews for suspected child sexual abuseen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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