“For the beginning case worker or those who wish to know about the relevant issues without necessarily becoming directly involved, this little book provides a useful introduction.” --Child & Family Behavior Therapy “The language is conversational, the style directive, addressing the reader personally and the instructions are explicit and stepwise. Following detailed preparation for the interview, there are good suggestions on how to help the child begin talking about any sexual abuse which she might have experienced. Avoidance of leading questions, with examples, is repeatedly advocated.” --Danya Glaser in ACPP Review & Newsletter Taking a comprehensive look at a complex task, How to Interview Sexual Abuse Victims is an excellent introduction to the process of interviewing children and includes a special segment on the appropriate use of anatomical dolls. Marcia Morgan, cocreator of the dolls, walks the reader through an interview from beginning to end and provides information on how to create an environment intended to minimize the child's trauma as well as enhance the amount, quality, and validity of information obtained. The book examines problems professionals might encounter with young children and material on preinterview preparation. In addition, there are sections included that provide training exercises, a glossary, an annotated bibliography, and a listing of audiovisual resources. Based on the author's many years of experience, as well as case law, How to Interview Sexual Abuse Victims is ideally designed for use by professionals including police, social service workers, and prosecutors. “Overall, this brief book is a worthwhile contribution to the literature on the interviewing of child witnesses…. Those who use, or who are considering using, dolls should ensure that they are familiar with this book's contents.” --Ray Bull, review in Expert Evidence: The International Digest of Human Behaviour Science and Law “Highly recommended.” --Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulletin Book Club

Training Exercises

Training exercises

The best way to get acquainted with the dolls is to practice using them in interviews. The following two exercises should help you feel more comfortable and confident in an interview.

Exercise 1: Role Playing

Break into groups of two people. Assign one person to be the “interviewer” and the other person to be the “child.” Give each person the information listed below that corresponds to his or her role. (Putting the information on cards works well.) Do not let the “interviewer” see what is on the “child's” card and vice versa. The object in this role-playing exercise is for the “interviewer” (police officer or caseworker) to get all the information on the “child's” card by using the dolls and appropriate nonleading questions.

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