Police interviews with adult reporters of historical child sexual abuse: Exploring the link between verbal rapport and information obtained

Abstract

BackgroundPolice officers and academics agree that rapport is important when interviewing victims and witnesses, although previous research has found that officers do not always engage in rapport-building behaviours during interviews. Interviews with complainants reporting historical child sexual abuse may be key to police investigations, as physical or corroborating evidence is often not available. ObjectiveThis research explored the possible effect of verbal rapport-building behaviour on the elicitation of investigation-relevant details in historical child sexual abuse victim interviews. Participants and settingA sample of interviews (N = 44) with adults reporting historical child sexual abuse in a northern Canadian territory with a large Indigenous population was examined. MethodsInterviews were evaluated for interviewer verbal rapport-building behaviours, using a framework derived from Tickle-Degnen and Rosenthal's three domain model of rapport. Interviews were also coded for details given by the interviewee. ResultsResults showed that verbal rapport was significantly positively correlated with both total details (r = 0.621, p < .001) and abuse relevant details (r = 0.518, p < .001). Chronological Rapport Maps were piloted, to show the use of rapport behaviours over the course of interviews, and the possible effect over time of these behaviours on information yield. ConclusionsThe results show that information yield is higher when more rapport behaviours are demonstrated and both parties work together harmoniously, even after a long delay. Further research is needed on the experience of police interviews for Indigenous complainants.