title: Language competence in forensic interviews for suspected child sexual abuse.
abstract: Forensic 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.
authors.affiliation: University Without Walls, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 100 Venture Way, Hadley, MA 01035, USA. Electronic address: LFontes@uww.umass.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Fontes
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital Child Protection Program, and Harvard Medical School, USA. Electronic address: Amy.tishelman@childrens.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tishelman
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002651:Child Advocacy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Child advocacy centers; Child sexual abuse; Culture; Immigrants; Investigative interviews; Language competence