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WORDS MATTER #4: "Is the Child Telling the Truth?"
-Maggi Hutchason, Forensic Interview Specialist & Community Educator I am asked this question often—particularly by defense attorneys: "Is the child telling the truth?" The truthful answer is... I don't know. I do not have the ability—or the necessary information—to make that determination. A forensic interview is not designed to determine whether a child is truthful or deceptive. Instead, it is a carefully structured conversation that allows a child to share what they remember in a way that is developmentally appropriate, legally defensible, and as free from outside influence as possible. Our responsibility at Dearing House is not to decide what happened. Our responsibility is to obtain the child's account as accurately and objectively as possible. A Forensic Interview is the Beginning—Not the End Think of a forensic interview as laying the foundation for the investigation. The purpose of the interview is to gather the most accurate information possible so investigators can follow the evidence to determine whether the child's account can be corroborated. This process involves interviewing other people, examining locations, searching electronic devices, collecting medical evidence, and reviewing records. Our next lesson in WORDS MATTER will focus on CORROBORATION, originating from the Latin corroborare, meaning "to strengthen." In criminal investigations, corroboration is the process of strengthening—or challenging—a statement, theory, or finding through additional evidence or independent sources. Investigators use corroboration to verify information, reduce bias, and build the most accurate account of past events. A child's forensic interview is one important piece of evidence, but it is only one piece. My responsibility as a forensic interviewer is to conduct an interview that is reliable. What Makes an Interview Reliable? Let's look at another important word: RELIABLE. The word has been part of the English language since the 1500s and means something that can be trusted or depended upon. Reliability begins with how the interview is conducted. At Dearing House—and at every Child Advocacy Center across the country—we use nationally recognized forensic interview protocols designed to reduce suggestion and increase the accuracy of children's reports. Rather than asking leading questions or filling in missing details, interviewers rely heavily on open-ended invitations such as: "Tell me everything that happened." "Then what happened?" "Tell me more about that." These types of questions encourage children to describe events in their own words instead of simply agreeing with an adult's suggestion. Professionals also understand that trauma affects memory. Children may remember events in pieces rather than in perfect chronological order. They often recall additional details over time as they feel safer or as one memory naturally triggers another. Minor inconsistencies are common in all human memory and do not automatically make a statement unreliable. Instead, interviewers focus on the child's own narrative, spontaneous details, and whether the interview itself was conducted in a manner that promotes accurate recall. Dearing House Advocates for the Process—Not the Outcome One of the most important ethical principles in forensic interviewing is neutrality. Forensic interviewers are not advocates for a particular outcome. We are not working to prove abuse occurred, nor are we trying to disprove an allegation. Instead, we advocate for a fair, objective process that gives every child the opportunity to be heard while protecting the integrity of the investigation. Sometimes the evidence supports the child's statement. Sometimes it does not. In either case, the forensic interview has fulfilled its purpose if it provides reliable, unbiased information that helps investigators follow the evidence wherever it leads. Justice Requires Teamwork The forensic interview is only one part of the investigative process.
No single interview of a child determines the outcome of a case. That brings us back to the original question. "Is the child telling the truth?" The better question is: "Was the interview conducted in a manner that allowed the child to provide reliable information that investigators can corroborate as they work to discover the truth?" That is the purpose of a forensic interview. Not to decide guilt or innocence. Not to determine who should be believed. But to provide a reliable foundation that allows investigators to follow the evidence—wherever it leads.
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WORDS MATTER #3 "What Does 'Advocacy' Really Mean?" April 17, 2026
By Maggi Hutchason, Forensic Interview Specialist/Community Educator Words matter. Sometimes the meaning of a word becomes clearer when we look at where it came from. The word advocacy is one of those words. Although we're called a Child Advocacy Center, our name doesn't fully explain our mission. To understand our purpose, we have to start with the meaning of the word itself. The word itself comes from the Latin advocare, which means “to call to one’s aid.” It describes someone who stands beside another person to help them be heard. That simple idea is at the heart of what happens every day at Dearing House. When a child has experienced abuse, the adults around them begin asking questions. Law enforcement needs information. Child protection workers need information. Medical and mental health professionals need information. In the middle of all of that…there is a child. Sometimes that child is frightened…or confused…or worry that they will not be believed. Advocacy means making sure that child is not alone in that moment. At Dearing House, we create a safe environment where children can share their experiences in a way that is respectful, developmentally appropriate, and designed to reduce additional trauma. Advocacy means making sure the child’s voice, safety, and well-being remain central throughout the process. At Dearing House, that work has been happening for more than two decades. And with the expansion of Dottie’s Place, we are strengthening our ability to walk alongside children and families as they move from crisis toward healing. I often break it down this way:
Stand beside a child and make sure their voice is heard.
Since you requested it, this month’s word is forensic.
You may remember that my grandmother encouraged me to learn the origins of words to truly understand them. The Latin roots of forensic refer to the public forum—like court and pursuing legal matters. Even in ancient Rome, science and careful questioning were essential to understanding what really happened. Not much has changed. At Dearing House, every forensic interview of a child is grounded in the science of investigating crime. A forensic interview is a neutral, legally defensible, recorded conversation conducted by a specially trained professional. The goal is to gather information from a child about possible abuse or exposure to violence in a way that is safe, supportive, and research-based. Over 2,500 children have been interviewed at Dearing House since 2003! Our highest priority is reducing trauma to these kids. A carefully conducted interview allows investigators to gather needed information while protecting the child from repeated questioning. And here’s where words really matter. To ensure that a child’s words are heard and understood, the interviewer’s words are chosen with extraordinary care. Every question must be non-leading, age-appropriate, and open-ended, allowing the child to describe experiences in their own language. Even tiny words can make a big difference. For example, our training teaches interviewers to avoid pronouns. In everyday conversation we might ask, “When did it happen?” But in forensic science, the word it can create confusion—especially for children who may have experienced multiple unsafe situations. The child may answer a different question than the one we intended. Yes/no questions are also avoided because they don’t invite the details needed for understanding. Every question in a forensic interview is shaped by research on how children understand language and how memory works. Using this science helps ensure the child’s information is as accurate and reliable as possible. Forensic interviews are the foundation for further investigation. Law enforcement, child welfare, and sometimes the courts use this information to decide next steps to protect the child and, when appropriate, hold an offender accountable. There is one myth we should clear up: a forensic interview does not always mean a child won’t have to testify. That’s an important topic we’ll explore in a future post. As always, thank you for wanting to understand the work of Dearing House. If you ever have questions, we would love to hear from you. Your support and encouragement make a difference every day! What do you want to learn next month? Because words matter. 💛
You may find this odd, but one of my fondest childhood memories is reading the dictionary with my grandmother. She had a massive dictionary — so large it required its own stand in the living room. She would give me a word, ask me to look it up, and then read it aloud to her. But that wasn’t enough. What mattered most to her was that I also read the origin of the word. Where did it come from? What did it really mean? That experience made a lasting impression. I still find myself curious about definitions and word origins — although these days I use a computer instead of a dictionary stand. (I often wonder what she’d think about that.) As we step into a new year — and in the spirit of New Year’s resolutions — I’ve decided to combine that love of words with something else I care deeply about: helping people better understand how Dearing House works. This blog (and accompanying video series) will explore words and phrases that are common to us at Dearing House but may not be familiar to everyone who supports us, refers to us, or relies on our services. These are words that can sound intimidating, confusing, or even vague — yet they matter greatly. We make it a point with every child we interview to tell them to speak up if we use words or phrases (and heaven forbid, acronyms), they don’t understand. I’m taking that same approach here — slowing things down, defining our language, and pulling back the curtain on how our work actually happens. So, let’s start with a word that sounds anything but exciting: Governance. In the nonprofit world, governance generally refers to oversight and accountability. But the word itself has a much more interesting origin. It comes from a Greek term meaning “to steer” or “to pilot.” The philosopher Plato used it to describe guiding a ship — setting direction and keeping it on course. Its modern use in business and nonprofit management is surprisingly recent, gaining traction only in the 1990s. That image of steering a ship is helpful, because one of the most common questions people have about nonprofits is: Who’s really in charge — the board or the Executive Director? The answer lies in governance. Governance is the responsibility of the volunteer board of directors, which includes strategy, accountability, transparency, and most importantly, in my never-to-be-humble opinion — ensuring the organization fulfills its mission ethically, legally, and effectively. Day-to-day management, on the other hand, belongs to the paid leadership, primarily the Executive Director. This includes implementing plans, supervising staff, managing the facility, engaging with community partners and helping children. Different roles. Shared purpose. Why does this matter? Because a strong governance structure — where the board provides thoughtful oversight and Executive Director drives effective action — builds credibility and trust. It reassures donors that resources are being used wisely. It reassures partners that decisions are sound. In our case, It offers children and families hope. And it ensures that Dearing House can grow, adapt, and respond to community needs over time. I particularly appreciate how the National Council of Nonprofits describes good governance: as a recipe. You need the right ingredients: engaged board leadership with varied backgrounds and expertise, and a highly trained chef (the Executive Director). Mix in candid conversations, transparent practices, thoughtful policies, fiscal accountability, and long-term vision and you get a program that truly meets community needs. At Dearing House, our clients — children and families — benefit directly from this structure. Our board holds all of us accountable to our mission and ensures that every donation, grant, and square foot of space is used effectively and responsibly to help children heal from trauma. The strong governance at Dearing House isn’t flashy. It doesn’t make headlines. But it is one of the most important ways we protect your trust — and ultimately, protect children. Next month, I think the word we should explore is CONSISTENCY and what it means to always do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons. |
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Ponca City, OK
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