We were honored to participate in the 41st International Symposium on Child Abuse, presenting a workshop on AI-based interview training. This important event, organized by the National Children's Advocacy Center, brought together professionals from around the world dedicated to protecting children.
The Symposium
The International Symposium on Child Abuse is one of the premier annual events for professionals working in child protection, bringing together:
- Child welfare professionals
- Law enforcement investigators
- Forensic interviewers
- Prosecutors and attorneys
- Medical professionals
- Mental health practitioners
- Child advocacy center staff
- Researchers and academics
National Children's Advocacy Center
The National Children's Advocacy Center (NCAC) is a leader in providing training, technical assistance, and resources to multidisciplinary teams working on child abuse cases. Their symposium provides:
- Latest research findings
- Best-practice training
- Networking opportunities
- Professional development
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
Our Workshop: AI-Based Interview Training
Our workshop focused on innovative applications of artificial intelligence in training professionals to conduct forensic interviews with children.
Workshop Content
**Technology Overview**
- Introduction to AI avatar technology
- How realistic avatars create safe practice environments
- Integration of feedback mechanisms
- Scalability and accessibility of digital training
**Evidence Base**
- Research on current interviewing practice gaps
- Studies demonstrating AI training effectiveness
- Evidence-based interviewing protocols
- Measurement of skill improvement
**Practical Demonstration**
- Live demonstration of AI avatar interactions
- Example scenarios and feedback systems
- Discussion of implementation considerations
- Q&A with multidisciplinary professionals
Key Themes
**Bridging Theory and Practice** One of the consistent challenges in forensic interviewing is translating classroom learning into effective practice. Our workshop explored how AI training can bridge this gap through:
- Realistic practice opportunities
- Immediate, specific feedback
- Repeated practice without resource constraints
- Safe environment for skill development
**Multidisciplinary Applications** While developed initially for child welfare and police, participants recognized applications across:
- Child Advocacy Center interviewers
- Medical professionals conducting assessments
- Attorneys preparing for child witness interviews
- Mental health practitioners working with trauma
**International Relevance** The workshop attracted international interest, with participants from multiple countries discussing how the technology could address training challenges in different contexts and legal systems.
Collaborative Connections
UC Irvine Partnership
Our collaboration with Professor Jodi Quas from UC Irvine brought important academic perspective to the workshop:
**Research Integration**
- Developmental psychology insights on child memory and communication
- Evidence on interviewing technique effectiveness
- Cross-cultural considerations in interviewing
- Evaluation methodologies for training outcomes
**International Collaboration**
- Bridging Norwegian and American research communities
- Sharing best practices across legal systems
- Comparative analysis of training approaches
- Joint research opportunities
Team Representation
The workshop benefited from our team's diverse expertise:
- **Gunn Astrid Baugerud**: Child psychology and investigative interviewing research
- **Steven Hicks**: Technology development and AI applications
- **Jodi Quas**: Developmental psychology and memory research
Key Insights from Participants
Workshop participants shared valuable perspectives:
Common Challenges
- Limited opportunities for realistic practice
- Difficulty providing individualized feedback at scale
- Resource constraints for ongoing training
- Need for consistent quality across interviewers
Innovation Interest
- Strong enthusiasm for technology-enhanced training
- Recognition of digital platforms' scalability potential
- Questions about implementation logistics
- Interest in evidence of effectiveness
Adaptation Considerations
- Different legal frameworks require protocol adjustments
- Cultural contexts influence interviewing approaches
- Organizational readiness varies widely
- Integration with existing training curricula important
Impact and Outcomes
Knowledge Sharing
The workshop contributed to the symposium's mission of advancing the field through:
- Introducing innovative training approaches
- Sharing research evidence
- Facilitating cross-disciplinary dialogue
- Building international networks
Professional Development
Participants gained:
- Awareness of emerging training technologies
- Understanding of AI applications in child protection
- Evidence-based interview technique knowledge
- Resources for organizational consideration
Future Collaboration
The workshop generated:
- Interest from Child Advocacy Centers
- Potential pilot program opportunities
- Research collaboration possibilities
- International partnership discussions
Reflections
Participating in this prestigious symposium was both an honor and a learning opportunity. Key takeaways include:
Universal Challenges
Despite different legal systems and cultural contexts, professionals worldwide face similar challenges in training forensic interviewers effectively.
Technology Acceptance
Growing recognition that technology can enhance, not replace, the human skills essential to working with children.
Evidence Demand
Strong emphasis on evidence-based approaches and rigorous evaluation of training effectiveness.
Multidisciplinary Perspective
Value of bringing together diverse professionals who all interact with children in investigative contexts.
Gratitude
Thank you to:
- **National Children's Advocacy Center** for organizing this important event and inviting our participation
- **Workshop participants** for engaging discussions and valuable feedback
- **Jodi Quas and UC Irvine** for collaborative partnership
- **OsloMet and SimulaMet** for supporting our international engagement
Continued Engagement
We look forward to:
- Ongoing collaboration with NCAC
- Potential pilot programs with interested organizations
- Contributing to future symposia
- Building international research partnerships
- Advancing evidence-based training worldwide
The 41st International Symposium on Child Abuse reinforced our commitment to ensuring that professionals worldwide have access to effective training tools that ultimately serve children's best interests.
#ChildAdvocacy #ForensicInterviewing #ProfessionalTraining #InternationalCollaboration #ChildProtection