This chapter aims to summarize the development of investigative interviewing of children especially in the UK and Turkey to give short information about the methods which have been implemented by police officers during interviews. The role of the interviewers during the interview will be outlined and some information will be given about children as witnesses. This book chapter will also express the risks and difficulties of conducting interviews with children. Moreover, it will be briefly underlined the harmfull effects of re-interviewing of children. All these subjects were examined comprehensively Interviewing is at the heart of any police investigation and thus is the root of achieving justice in society.
TopIntroduction
Each year, increasing numbers of children come into contact with legal systems, social services, and child welfare systems around the world (Malloy, La Rooy, Lamb and Katz (2011, p.2). It is believed that large numbers of children are victims of abuse. For example, NSPCC & Tower Hamlets ACPC (1996) reports that a total of 1 million children in the UK are abused each year (Aldridge & Wood, 1998, p.9). In the US. children were reported to be abused or neglected at a rate of 10.6 per thousand children in 2007, resulting in an estimated 794,000 victims (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 as cited in Mongetta, Salerno, Najdowski, Bottoms & Goodman, 2009, p. 2). Forward and Buck (1978) claimed that between 10 and 20 million Americans are victims of abuse (Brown, Goldstein & Bjorklund, 2000, p. 15).
It is difficult to determine why some children are more susceptable to abuse than others. Several factors put children at risk particularly for sexual victimization. Social isolation is a primary reason. “Children who are left alone, are unsupervised, and who do not have the physical presence of numerous friends and neighbours are more likely to be abused” (Sgroi, 1982; Finkelhor, 1984). Also, the mother has an influence on the child's vulnerability. Studies show that the mother “who is absent, who is not close to her child emotionally, who is sexually punitive or religiously fanatic, who never finished high school, or who keeps herself isolated is more likely to have a child who will be abused” (Sgroi, 1982; James and Nasjleti, 1983; Finkelhor, 1984 as cited in Tower, 1999, p.126). Additionally, children with disabilities (physical limitations or emotional disturbances) are particularly vulnreable to victimization (Young, 1982 as cited in Tower, 1999, p. 127).