Child-Friendly Setting
Interviews take place in a calm, home-like environment designed to help children feel more comfortable.
Iron County Children's Justice Center
Forensic Interviews
Forensic interviews are conducted by specially trained interviewers in a child-focused setting designed to reduce additional trauma.
About Forensic Interviews
A Child-Focused Approach
The Children's Justice Center provides a safe, home-like environment where children can speak with a specially trained forensic interviewer.
Before Children's Justice Centers, investigations of child sexual or physical abuse often required multiple interviews of the child victim by police, social services, medical personnel, and attorneys.
Each interview occurred at a different place and rarely in a setting that was familiar or comfortable for the child. The Children's Justice Center provides a safe, home-like environment where these necessary interviews can occur in a calm atmosphere.
The forensic interview is conducted by one highly trained interviewer and addresses the concerns of all investigative agencies involved in the case.
The Child's Opportunity to Be Heard
The focus of the forensic interview is to collect facts and information from the child in a non-leading way. It is the child's opportunity to tell what happened.
The process is designed to reduce re-victimization and trauma while focusing on the child's safety and well-being.
The Process
How the Interview Model Helps
The Children's Justice Center brings the investigative process into a coordinated, child-focused environment.
Trained Interviewer
One highly trained forensic interviewer conducts the interview using a non-leading approach.
Coordinated Agencies
The interview addresses the concerns of the investigative agencies involved in the case.
Reduced Trauma
The coordinated process helps reduce repeated questioning, re-victimization, and additional trauma.
Interview Environment
The Forensic Interview Room
The interview environment allows a child to speak with the forensic interviewer while other members of the investigative team can observe from a separate space.
One Interviewer
Instead of requiring a child to separately answer questions from multiple agencies, a trained forensic interviewer conducts the interview while addressing the investigative needs of the agencies involved.
Coordinated Response
The Children's Justice Center model allows professionals involved in the investigation to work together while maintaining a child-focused environment.
We're Here to Help
Questions About CJC Services?
Contact the Iron County Children's Justice Center for information about forensic interviews, services, and resources available to children and families.