In the context of interviewing victims of crime, behavioural science tells us that trauma-informed practices will result in improved outcomes.
For law enforcement, forensic interviewers, and advocates, this is critical in obtaining quantity and quality communication from victims. When a witness or victim of a crime is required to recount their experience, they are essentially reliving their trauma. With the trauma comes a significant emotional, mental and physical effect which can dramatically impact a victim's ability to engage in the interview process. For this reason, a victim-centred, trauma-informed approach by an interviewer with specialized training is recognized as best practice.
The psychological and physiological impact can present in many ways that make a successful interview challenging.
An increase in cortisol levels resulting in anxiety
Feeling unsafe, judged, intimidated
Hyper-arousal
Poor memory retrieval
Lack of engagement
Dissociation
Our built environment also has a profound effect on mood and behaviour. Therein lies an opportunity to utilize evidence-based, trauma-informed design to improve the experience of victims and by extension the quality of the interview.
The soft interview room has become integral to law enforcement's investigative toolbox in many parts of the world. Using intentional design strategies that are informed by the neurobiology of trauma, we can mitigate the effects of trauma and ensure we are not further traumatizing victims.
In designing this space, details matter! It's more than just a couple of couches and a paint colour thought to be calming. Choosing the right kind of seating can give the victim a sense of support, and agency, and eliminate a power differential. Specific design elements create positive distraction which helps with attention restoration. In simple terms, the interview process is difficult and the victim needs moments of relief. Effective design can improve this.
According to Dr. Stephanie Liddicoat-Ocampo Ph.D., Architectural research at the University of Melbourne, placement of furnishings affects perceptions of psychological safety, willingness to disclose and to build rapport. Mitigating potential triggers and environmental stressors is made possible by intentional design choices to create a supportive and restorative space.
Lighting, especially in windowless rooms, dramatically affects mood and behaviour that is widely underestimated. Studies have shown that brighter light can intensify emotions - not a desirable result for this kind of interview. Lighting will change the colour and texture of everything in the space. The good news is there are solutions for a wide range of budgets.
Every element of this space can potentially affect the occupants negatively or positively. This is not about decorating a pretty room or simply being "homey". This is about strategically designing a space to produce a desired outcome. For forensic interviewing of children and youth, the design of this space is crucial to the process and the outcome. Science informs this process and has the potential to be transformational. Forensic interviewing of child victims requires very thoughtful and strategic intervention in terms of the design of a space that creates an optimal environment for the desired results.
Law enforcement has recognized the need to improve training in interviewing skills. A trauma-informed approach is essential in this process. Equally important is providing a space that supports these efforts.
This is my passion project. My goal is to create spaces that support victims through their profoundly difficult journey. There are many people involved in the legal process of securing justice for victims of crime. I am here to play my small part.
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