A study of the variability of training and beliefs among professionals who interview children to investigate suspected sexual abuse

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the relationship between professional background, number of qualifications, specific training in child sexual abuse and beliefs about indicators of child sexual abuse in professionals who conduct sexual abuse investigatory interviews. A questionnaire was sent to all professionals within a discrete geographical area who were involved in the investigation of child sexual abuse. One hundred and six of 136 questionnaires were returned (77.9%), 60 of which were from investigatory interviewers. The latter comprised eight different professions. There was a considerable variation in general training and in training in child sexual abuse specifically, both of which were more likely to have been received by medical psychological and social work respondents than residential care workers and police officers. Beliefs about sexual abuse indicators showed a striking variation between respondents. Most of the variation was not accounted for by the respondent variables examined. Where there was evidence for an association, the interviewer's professional background had the strongest effect, followed by the number of qualifications and the number of investigatory interviews conducted per year. Previous training in child sexual abuse had no significant effect on these beliefs. Further research is needed into the optimal training necessary for members of different professions in order to change their beliefs about child sexual abuse.