Scientific Requirements and Standards for Specialized Interviews with Child and Adolescent Victims of Sexual Abuse in the Criminal Justice Systems of Iran and the United States
Keywords:
Scientific requirements, child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse, criminal justice systems of Iran and the United StatesAbstract
This study was conducted with the aim of examining and comparing the scientific requirements and professional standards governing specialized interviews with child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse within the criminal justice systems of Iran and the United States. The primary focus is on identifying best practices for detecting sexual offenses while minimizing secondary psychological harm to children, taking into account the cultural, legal, and psychological differences between the two countries, and proposing solutions to improve preliminary investigative procedures. The research adopted a descriptive–analytical approach based on the examination of legal sources and scholarly articles. The findings indicate that, in the United States, interview standards are grounded in multidisciplinary team structures, the use of open-ended and non-leading questions, video recording of interviews, and child-centered settings designed to enhance informational accuracy and prevent repeated interviewing sessions. In Iran, requirements emphasize the training of specialized interrogators (preferably female), the establishment of initial trust, and the avoidance of suggestive questioning; however, challenges remain, including incomplete implementation of specialized juvenile police units and the need for localized protocols. Similarities between the two systems are evident in prioritizing the prevention of secondary trauma and emphasizing children’s cognitive development, whereas differences primarily relate to legal structures (such as Articles 39 and 42 of Iranian law) and cultural considerations. It is recommended that Iran adapt integrated protocols such as the NICHD investigative interview protocol in accordance with Islamic legal standards to enhance procedural efficiency.
References
Adams, J. A. (2011). Medical evaluation of suspected child sexual abuse: 2011 update. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 20(5), 588-605. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2011.606107
Adams, J. A., Farst, K. J., & Kellogg, N. D. (2018). Interpretation of medical findings in suspected child sexual abuse: An update for 2018. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 31(3), 225-231.
Adams, J. A., Kellogg, N. D., Farst, K. J., Harper, N. S., Palusci, V. J., Frasier, L. D., Levitt, C. J., Shapiro, R. A., Moles, R. L., & Starling, S. P. (2016). Updated guidelines for the medical assessment and care of children who may have been sexually abused. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 29(2), 81-87.
Alasti, S., & Hassanpour, M. (2006). Victimology and Prevention of Victimization. Dadresi(56), 24-27.
Almerigogna, J., Ost, J., Bull, R., & Akehurst, L. (2007). A state of high anxiety: How non-supportive interviewers can increase the suggestibility of child witnesses. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 21(7), 963-974.
Azari, H., & Babazadeh, Z. (2019). Protection of Women Victims of Domestic Sexual Violence in the Iranian Criminal Justice System. Criminal law and Criminology Studies, 49(2), 259-280.
Bagheri, N., Azimzadeh, S., Mehra, N., & Mahdavi Sabet, M. A. (2023). The Necessity of Maximum Support for Sexual Victims Under 18 and Supervised Challenges with Emphasis on the Law for the Protection of Children and Adolescents Approved in 2020. Criminal Law and Criminology Research, 11(21), 195-231.
Berliner, L., & Elliott, D. M. (2002). Sexual abuse of children. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(8), 972-979.
Clow, J. (2015). Throwing a toy wrench in the "greatest legal engine": Child witnesses and the Confrontation Clause. Washington University Law Review, 92, 793-836.
Dehghani, A., Ashouri, M., & Rahmdel, M. (2022). Requirements of the Principle of Impartiality in Preliminary Investigations: Challenges and Solutions in the Iranian Judicial System. Criminal Law Research Quarterly, 10(39), 9-37.
Goodman, G. S., Quas, J. A., Bulkley, J., & Shapiro, C. (1999). Innovations for child witnesses: A national survey. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 5(2), 255-281.
Jafari, B. (2021). Manifestations of Differential Criminal Policy Regarding Child Victims with a Look at the Law for the Protection of Children and Adolescents Approved in 2020. Journal of Child Rights, 2(6), 65-88.
Jenny, C., Crawford-Jakubiak, J. E., Committee on Child, A., & Neglect, A. A. o. P. (2013). The evaluation of children Pediatrics. Pediatrics, 132(2), e558-e567.
Kellogg, N. D., American Academy of Pediatrics, C. o. C. A., & Neglect. (2005). The evaluation of sexual abuse in children. Pediatrics, 116(2), 506-512. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-1336
Lamb, M. E., Sternberg, K. J., Orbach, Y., Hershkowitz, I., Horowitz, D., & Esplin, P. W. (2002). The effects of intensive training and ongoing supervision on the quality of investigative interviews with alleged sex abuse victims. Applied Developmental Science, 6(3), 114-125.
Mohammadi Jorkouyeh, A. (2010). Islam's Criminal Policy in Sexual Crimes. Islamic Law, 7(24), 87-121.
Motamedi Jouybari, M. (2019). The Process of Interrogating and Interviewing Children and Adolescents in Conflict with the Law: A Legal and Psychological Approach Allameh Tabataba'i University, Faculty of Law and Political Science].
National Children's Alliance. (2017). Standards for accredited members: Forensic interviewing.
Newlin, C. (2015). Child forensic interviewing: Best practices.
Nobahar, R. (2010). Objectives of Punishments in Sexual Crimes: An Islamic Perspective (Editor: R. Moazenzadeh). Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy.
Rivard, J. R., & Schreiber Compo, N. (2017). Self-reported current practices. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 35(3), 253-268.
Sadati, S. M. M., & Hosseini, E. (2018). Duties and Powers of Judicial Officers and the Plurality of Special Officers in Iranian Law. Tehran.
Sternberg, K. J., Lamb, M. E., Orbach, Y., Esplin, P. W., & Mitchell, S. (2001). Use of a structured investigative protocol…. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(5), 997-1005.
Taskforce, A. (2012). Forensic interviewing in cases of suspected child abuse.
Taskforce, A. (2023). Practice guidelines: Forensic interviewing of children. American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC).
Valizadeh, A. (2023). Scientific Requirements for Interrogating Child Victims of Sexual Abuse in the Preliminary Investigation Process Bakhtar Institute of Higher Education Ilam].
Wilson, J. C., & Powell, M. B. (2005). A guide to interviewing children: Essential skills for counsellors, police, lawyers and social workers.
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Iman Madanian (Author); Salameh Abolhassani (Corresponding author); Mohammadreza Elahi Manesh (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
