Universal Journal of Psychology(CEASE PUBLICATION) Vol. 4(6), pp. 249 - 253
DOI: 10.13189/ujp.2016.040601
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Integrating the NICHD Forensic Investigative Interview Protocol in the Biopsychosocial-spiritual Model of Care for Victims of CSA and CSE

Antero Rosauro V. Arias, Jr. ^*
University of Santo Tomas Graduate School (USTGS), Philippines

ABSTRACT

Sexual assault on children, whether in the form of abuse, neglect or exploitation, exists globally and is therefore a global concern. Psychological rehabilitation centers that make use of the biopsychosocial-spiritual model do not necessarily incorporate the child victims' need for justice. And although a number of these institutions allow and even support the filing of criminal cases against the perpetrators, they have not incorporated definitive protocols that will ensure the success of the cases and prevent, as well, the inflation and deflation of the accounts of the child victims, including their possible retraumatization. This concept paper proposed the integration of the NICHD Forensic Investigative Interview Protocol that would prepare psychologists and other stakeholders in the various facilities, including those in the administration of justice, to ask the right questions without leading these victims to inflate or deflate their accounts. It would similarly ensure that these stakeholders do the proper documentation of the accounts made by these child victims to serve the purpose of corroborating their court testimonies. The required video recording in the protocol would also bolster the cases of abuse and exploitation and would prevent possible retraumatization. Philippine laws, meanwhile, have underscored the competency doctrine of the child victims as the stare decisis in these cases, as these laws have likewise guaranteed the constitutional right of these perpetrators. The use of this protocol balances the equation by guaranteeing the protection of these child victims and by similarly shielding the innocently accused perpetrators from criminal liability.

KEYWORDS
NICHD Forensic Investigative Interview Protocol, Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, Biopsychosocial-spiritual Model of Care, Retraumatization, Competency Doctrine

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Antero Rosauro V. Arias, Jr. , "Integrating the NICHD Forensic Investigative Interview Protocol in the Biopsychosocial-spiritual Model of Care for Victims of CSA and CSE," Universal Journal of Psychology(CEASE PUBLICATION), Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 249 - 253, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/ujp.2016.040601.

(b). APA Format:
Antero Rosauro V. Arias, Jr. (2016). Integrating the NICHD Forensic Investigative Interview Protocol in the Biopsychosocial-spiritual Model of Care for Victims of CSA and CSE. Universal Journal of Psychology(CEASE PUBLICATION), 4(6), 249 - 253. DOI: 10.13189/ujp.2016.040601.