In June 2024, at the 31st American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Colloquium in New Orleans, Practice Director and co-founder of The Forensic Practice, Dr. Hugues Hervé received the Outstanding Front Line Professional Award — a recognition that holds deep personal and professional meaning for him. Nominated by Sgt. Andy Stuart and presented by Julie Kenniston, this award recognizes front-line professionals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication and skill in their service to children and families in our communities.
We asked Dr. Hervé to say a few words on what this recognition means to him.
Recognizing Our Shared Efforts
For over 25 years, my work has centered around helping child, adolescent, and adult survivors of abuse and interpersonal violence. I am deeply grateful to all those I have had the privilege to serve, as you have taught me what it truly means to be strong and resilient.
I have also been honoured to work closely with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in Canada, and gain invaluable insights into diverse cultural perspectives — insights that have enriched my approach to forensic interviewing. I am grateful for your generosity, patience, humour, and kindness.
To all of the professionals I’ve trained in the art and science of forensic interviewing, thank you for making me a better instructor. More importantly, thank you for your dedication to safeguarding our neighbourhoods and protecting those who are at risk of harm.
As the lead author of the StepWise 360 interviewing model, I have continuously sought to integrate the latest research and practical insights into our training programs. Like many of my esteemed colleagues in APSAC, I have championed best practices in an environment where the resources and commitment necessary to uphold these standards are often hard-won.
In my view, this award celebrates our collective commitment to improving the quality of forensic interviewing and, by extension, the safety and well-being of our communities. I am immensely grateful to APSAC for this recognition and to everyone who has supported and trusted our work over the years.
For more details on the award and the APSAC community, please review the APSAC Awards Winners.
Looking Ahead
Our work continues. My team and I are excited to continue our collaborations with APSAC and the various governments and delegated agencies across Canada. Dr. Schweighofer and I are also looking forward to a one-day workshop, “Effective Interviewing for Clinicians: Eliciting Reliable Information,” in September 2025 at the Association for the Treatment & Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA) conference in Orlando, Florida. Sharing information, making connections, and working together with other professionals in the field is both personally and professionally rewarding, and I look forward to meeting some of you in person.
