NCJ Number
145019
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
In 1991, a 12-month pilot program of the "I CARE" (Interviewing Children and Recording Evidence) was established in New South Wales (Australia).
Abstract
The program had several objectives: rebutting claims of contamination of evidence in child sexual assault cases, eliciting sufficient information from the child victim to prove abuse, increasing professional credibility and competence of police officers and child protection services workers, and improving the quality of statements made by juvenile witnesses. Other aims included minimizing further trauma to the child, helping the investigator and permitting appropriate legal proceedings, obtaining information required for an effective case plan, and facilitating working relations between the police and child protective services. The pilot program, located in Newcastle, operated under a protocol covering disclosure procedures, consent to interviews, video recording equipment, rapport building, interviewing sequence, and procedures for worker debriefs. I CARE interviews are recorded with a combined video and audio system. Eighteen New South Wales police officers participated in an intensive 1- week training course which covered topics ranging from communications, interviewing, and videotaping skills to childhood development, legislation, and legal and equipment issues. The I CARE program has reduced the number of interviews with child victims, increased offender guilty pleas, assisted agencies in preparing their cases, persuaded disbelieving family members, and reduced stress and confusion in the children. 3 references