Trauma Informed Interviewing

Trauma-informed interviewing (TII) recognises trauma impacts on memory, shame reactions, survival responses and trust.  TII utilises this understanding to approach interviewing victim-survivors with skills that aim to avoid, or at least reduce, triggering trauma-related reactions.

A trauma informed approach paces interviews so the interviewee remains within their ‘window of tolerance’, (emotional arousal within the person’s capacity to manage). This won’t guarantee an interviewee will never become upset, angry, or distressed. However, if they do shoot through their window, which may occur at times, the interviewer has the skills to recognise and apply co-regulation strategies and assist the interviewee to return to a place of relative safety.

A trauma informed approach recognises that if an interviewee is unable to provide a linear narrative of events, is unable to recall aspects of the events, is confused or changes details, averts eye contact or is evasive, it does not necessarily indicate a false allegation. This should not be construed as reflective of the interviewee’s credibility.  Likewise, a consistent, clear report of events does not necessarily indicate truth or accuracy. Similarly, coherent denial cannot be assumed to be accurate or defensive responses are not assumed to reflect guilt. This makes the interviewer’s task complex, which is the nature of trauma.

Interviewing trauma victim-survivors requires sensitivity, empathy, patience and a sound understanding of trauma responses. These are skills that can be learnt. As with all new knowledge and training, skills will consolidate and integrate with practice and experience.