Victim Witness Advocate
Scenario
You are newly hired victim/witness advocate interviewing a male victim of domestic violence. This requires sensitivity, yet you have a job to do: assess the victim’s readiness for and willingness to participate in the court process. Because you are new to your job, your supervisor would like you to describe your strategy for this interview before you go into the field.
Directions
First, read the Project Three Scenario PDF. Then complete each of the following:
Strategy Part 1: Interview Purpose
To begin your interview strategy, in about one paragraph, describe the purpose and context of the interview. Answer the following questions in your description:
Why are you interviewing this person?
Why do you need this information?
What information do you need to provide to this person?
Strategy Part 2: Setting
Next, explain how the setting impacts an interview. In 250–300 words, answer the following:
What is the impact of the overall setting on the interviewee (the person being interviewed)?
What is the impact of the overall setting on the interviewer (the person conducting the interview)?
Strategy Part 3: Techniques and Strategies
Next, describe the effectiveness of interview techniques and strategies. In 250–300 words, answer the following:
Does your interviewee feel “free to leave”? Why or why not?
What type of body language will you use? Why?
What tone of voice will you use? Why?
Strategy Part 4: Question Types
Next, predict which question types will be the most helpful to gather necessary information. There are seven question types: reflective, directive, pointed, indirect, self-appraisal, diversion, and leading. Answer the following questions as you consider these question types:
What information do you need in this interview?
Which types of questions will help you gain the information you need?
Are there any question types that will be more useful to gain the information you need than others? Why?
Are there any question types that will be less useful to gain the information you need than others? Why?
What are some pitfalls you will want to avoid in creating your questions?
Strategy Part 5: Questions
Finally, to make sure you are fully prepared to conduct this interview, you will need to develop various types of interview questions that will help you gather the information you need.
Note: While preparing questions in advance is a good strategy for any interview situation, you will often have to adjust your questions based on the responses you get from your subject.
Using the information provided in the scenario, complete the following:
Create 5–10 interview questions.
Identify which question type you are creating.
(Hint: You may wish to present your question types and questions as follows: Diversion question: “How long have you lived in the area?”)
