StepWise 360 Interviewing Trauma Survivors

The StepWise 360: Interviewing Trauma Survivors (ITS) is an advanced workshop that provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct sensitive, client-centered, trauma-informed, strength-based interviews of adult victims and witnesses, with special attention given to sexual assault survivors. Completion of a basic StepWise 360 workshop (or equivalent) is recommended, as this workshop builds upon basic forensic interviewing skills and concepts. It is suitable for professionals who conduct (or assists with) interviews of adult victims and witnesses, such as police, social workers, mental health specialists, victim advocates, lawyers, judges, and human resources specialists. Using the StepWise 360 as a framework, topics covered include:

• Generating and testing hypotheses

• Identifying and minimizing biases

• Trauma and the stress response

• Trauma-informed practices

• Motivators and inhibitors to disclosing

• Addressing reluctance to disclose

• Tailoring interviews

• Interview rules for adults

• Types of memory and the impact of trauma on memory

• Critiquing interviews and receiving constructive feedback