Legal psychological studies into child sexual abuse investigations in Indonesia: The role of child investigative interviewing

Increasing successful prosecution rates in child sexual abuse (CSA) cases is an important purpose of law enforcement agencies to ensure children’s safety. However, research has shown that legal prosecution of CSA cases is highly complex resulting in only a small percentage of cases being prosecuted and ultimately proven in court. Oftentimes, the probative evidence in CSA cases hinges on the testimony of the child, because suspects in CSA cases are often in denial and because forensic technical evidence is absent. In the current research project, we will conduct several studies related to different aspects regarding CSA (e.g., interviewing victims of abuse). The first study investigates the association between CSA case characteristics and CSA prosecution and criminal justice outcomes by means of an archival study in two police districts in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia. This archival study will examine which factors, as found in police files, predict criminal justice outcomes. In a second study, we will implement the NICHD evidence-based forensic child interview protocol at two police stations in Jakarta. The aim of this second study is to improve child interviewing methods by police officers. We will investigate the effect of the NICHD protocol training program on police officers’ knowledge and skills by using a pre-post within-subjects design. Furthermore, the effect of the NICHD protocol on alleged victims’ statement quantity and quality, and police officers ‘questioning style will be examined in a study with a group of police officers that uses the NICHD protocol versus a group of officers that uses their usual method of interviewing children.