Swedish Courts' Evaluations of Interpreter-Mediated Child Investigative Interviews

Swedish interpreters' views and experiences of interpreting child forensic interviews

BACKGROUND

Child forensic interviewers have expressed concerns regarding the quality of interpreter-mediated child forensic interviews. However, research on interpreters' perspectives on these interviews is scarce and specialized education for interpreters limited.

OBJECTIVE

This mixed-methods study aimed to explore interpreters' experiences and knowledge of interpreting child forensic interviews.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

A total of 130 Swedish interpreters with different authorization statuses responded to a digital survey about interpreting child forensic interviews.

METHODS

Qualitative data were analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis and content analysis, and quantitative data with descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

Interpreters reported challenges concerning children's limited language skills, the emotional effects of interpreting child forensic interviews, the limited access to information before interviews, and the complex balance between following interpreters' ethical guidelines and adjusting for situational demands. Regarding practical conditions, interpreters preferred interpreting in person instead of via telephone. Interpreters' general knowledge of child forensic interviewing did not differ between interpreters with different authorization statuses (F(2,108) = 0.80, ω2 = -0.002, p = .45), except from views on using leading questions (H(2) = 17.34, η2 = 0.14, p < .001) and whether interpreters may clarify terms to child interviewees (H(2) = 8.02, η2 = 0.06, p = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

It is crucial to consider interpreters' perspectives when striving to improve the quality of interpreter-mediated child forensic interviews. Interpreters should be provided sufficient information to prepare and assess their suitability. Interpreters should also be offered education in interpreting child forensic interviews and given appropriate service structures to support their wellbeing.

Commentary: The Legal System Response to Child Maltreatment

Legal actions are perhaps the most powerful responses to child maltreatment. Criminal and child protection investigation and forensic interviewing can provide the evidence needed to support a child victim's disclosure. Prosecution of child maltreatment can hold perpetrators accountable. Juvenile and family court actions can provide for children's safety and oversee their care in state custody and journey to a permanent home. This commentary introduces readers to a special issue of the journal Child Maltreatment that focuses on the legal system response to child abuse and neglect. We provide an overview of the issue's 11 research articles and additional commentary. These works provide crucial new knowledge on gaining information from child victims involved in the legal system, on the law enforcement and prosecution response to child maltreatment, and on the legal framework supporting child protection.