Sexual offence interviewing: Towards victim-survivor wellbeing and justice

This project aims to improve the way victim-survivors are interviewed in sexual offence cases by examining their experiences and perceptions of investigative interview techniques. It expects to generate new knowledge about interview techniques that can promote victim wellbeing and the disclosure of sensitive information during investigative interviews.

Expected outcomes include new theoretical frameworks in the field of investigative interviewing and an innovative toolkit of victim-centred training resources to directly inform investigative interview policies and practices in sexual offence cases. Anticipated benefits include better victim experiences of investigative interviews and enhanced justice responses to sexual violence.  

Sexual offence cases have alarmingly high attrition rates throughout the criminal justice process, with a particularly high drop-off rate at the police investigative stage when interviews with victims are conducted (Daly & Bouhours, 2010; Fitzgerald, 2006). A crucial way of improving the criminal justice response to sexual violence is to strengthen investigative interviews with victim-survivors (Westera et al., 2016). The field of investigative interviewing, however, has largely overlooked the perspectives of victims in shaping interview techniques and processes. The victim’s account is often the only evidence in sexual offence cases; therefore, it is crucial victim-survivors are given the best opportunity to provide a detailed narrative in a way that minimises secondary trauma (Zajac et al., 2019).

This DECRA project aims to elevate the voices of Australian adult victim-survivors of sexual violence and draw on their lived experience of investigative interviews to advance scholarship and practice in sexual offence interviewing. The first project of its kind internationally, this qualitative interview and survey research seeks to:

1. Explore victim-survivors’ experiences of investigative interviews in sexual offence cases and suggestions for improvement. 
2. Examine victim-survivors’ perceptions of current and emerging investigative interviewing techniques and their potential to promote victim well-being. 
3. Exemplify news ways of thinking about knowledge and practice in the investigative interviewing field.
   

Gemma Hamilton

2024 - 2026

Australian Research Council (ARC)