Posted 11:01 pm Sunday, December 30, 2012
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Forensic interviewer talks to smallest victims
BY BETH KUHLES
Special to the Morning Telegraph
Special to the Morning Telegraph
After talking for two hours about ongoing sexual abuse at the trusted hands of her stepfather, a 7-year old girl handed forensic interviewer Rebecca Cunio a drawing of a large heart encircled by smaller ones. It read, “I love you for what you do.”
For Ms. Cunio, it was a defining moment in her career.
“To me, it lends credence to the power of these interviews because of what it means to the young victims and their families,” said Ms. Cunio, an online master’s degree student at Sam Houston State University who works in the Children’s Advocacy Center serving Anderson and Cherokee counties.
For Ms. Cunio, it was a defining moment in her career.
“To me, it lends credence to the power of these interviews because of what it means to the young victims and their families,” said Ms. Cunio, an online master’s degree student at Sam Houston State University who works in the Children’s Advocacy Center serving Anderson and Cherokee counties.
THE INTERVIEW
Ms. Cunio interviews children at the request of law enforcement and Child Protective Services investigators. She leads children ages 2 to 7 through a semi-structured conversation designed to elicit accurate details in a manner that is both developmentally appropriate for the child and legally defensible.
The interview is videotaped and becomes a critical component of the investigation and may be used in judicial proceedings.
Investigators involved in the case can monitor the interview in progress via a two-way mirror and closed circuit television monitors, alleviating the need for multiple interviews.
The investigators are able to meet with Ms. Cunio before the interviews ends to discuss questions that the child may need to address as part of their investigations.
Last year, Ms. Cunio conducted more than 200 forensic interviews in Anderson and Cherokee counties.
The interview is videotaped and becomes a critical component of the investigation and may be used in judicial proceedings.
Investigators involved in the case can monitor the interview in progress via a two-way mirror and closed circuit television monitors, alleviating the need for multiple interviews.
The investigators are able to meet with Ms. Cunio before the interviews ends to discuss questions that the child may need to address as part of their investigations.
Last year, Ms. Cunio conducted more than 200 forensic interviews in Anderson and Cherokee counties.
ADVOCACY CENTERS
There are 64 children’s advocacy centers in Texas and about 700 across the United States. Children alleged to have been abused or neglected are interviewed at these centers as part of criminal and civil investigations being conducted by child protection and law enforcement agencies.
The nonprofit agencies also provide counseling, therapy and family advocacy and educate adults and children on personal safety, how to recognize signs of abuse and how to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
The first children’s advocacy center was formed in Huntsville, Ala., in the 1980s when a district attorney recognized the disconnect in child abuse cases between the child, caregiver and investigators.
Different agencies who responded to child abuse investigations were subjecting children to multiple interviews, in various settings over extended periods and were not collaborating efforts or sharing information.
Today, children’s advocacy centers serve as the hub of child abuse investigations and facilitate a coordinated response among all professionals involved.
Children’s advocacy center representatives may remain involved in the case through the point of criminal adjudication.
Ms. Cunio is often called to testify about the process of conducting a forensic interview, disclosure patterns and the role of children’s advocacy centers.
The nonprofit agencies also provide counseling, therapy and family advocacy and educate adults and children on personal safety, how to recognize signs of abuse and how to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
The first children’s advocacy center was formed in Huntsville, Ala., in the 1980s when a district attorney recognized the disconnect in child abuse cases between the child, caregiver and investigators.
Different agencies who responded to child abuse investigations were subjecting children to multiple interviews, in various settings over extended periods and were not collaborating efforts or sharing information.
Today, children’s advocacy centers serve as the hub of child abuse investigations and facilitate a coordinated response among all professionals involved.
Children’s advocacy center representatives may remain involved in the case through the point of criminal adjudication.
Ms. Cunio is often called to testify about the process of conducting a forensic interview, disclosure patterns and the role of children’s advocacy centers.
LIFE’S WORK
I never anticipated this would be my life’s work, but I am very passionate about it,” Ms. Cunio said. “I’ve realized how essential children’s advocacy centers can be for everyone involved. For law enforcement and Child Protective Services, we provide essential resources that contribute to a more comprehensive and complete investigation.”
She said they help young victims and their families.
“For children and their families, we provide counseling and follow-up services that emphasize their healing and that promotes justice for victims,” she said. “Children’s advocacy centers are so necessary; I can’t imagine the potential trauma children faced before their existence.”
She said she is increasingly responding to cases involving children used in human trafficking and has interviewed children who were being prostituted by parents and loved ones, exploited in pornographic displays or were held captive as domestic and sexual servants.
Ms. Cunio said she is pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership and management to help her perform her job more effectively and is considering a career in federal law enforcement.
“I do consider myself to be part of the field of criminal justice, and I work closely with and encounter different elements of the system,” Ms. Cunio said. “I feel motivated to constantly learn and improve my own skills so that I can provide the best services possible to children and their families.”
Beth Kuhles is the publications officer for Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice.
She said they help young victims and their families.
“For children and their families, we provide counseling and follow-up services that emphasize their healing and that promotes justice for victims,” she said. “Children’s advocacy centers are so necessary; I can’t imagine the potential trauma children faced before their existence.”
She said she is increasingly responding to cases involving children used in human trafficking and has interviewed children who were being prostituted by parents and loved ones, exploited in pornographic displays or were held captive as domestic and sexual servants.
Ms. Cunio said she is pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership and management to help her perform her job more effectively and is considering a career in federal law enforcement.
“I do consider myself to be part of the field of criminal justice, and I work closely with and encounter different elements of the system,” Ms. Cunio said. “I feel motivated to constantly learn and improve my own skills so that I can provide the best services possible to children and their families.”
Beth Kuhles is the publications officer for Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice.
