This course consists of a blend of theory and role-play exercises, both as a participant and observer. It includes cognitive interviewing through the PEACE model and conversation management techniques, including skills development in questioning and active listening.
We will look at:
- the process of interviewing, including planning and preparation, relationship building and managing information
- key considerations for approaching survivors/victims and witnesses
- credibility and reliability
- use of intermediaries and interpreters
- understanding witness memory
- verbal and non-verbal communication
- dealing with barriers to communication such as investigative mindsets
- managing difficult and challenging behaviour during the interview
- interviewing suspects and ‘insiders’
- interviewing individuals who may be disadvantaged through age, developmental issues or post-traumatic stress disorder
- techniques to interview survivor/victim/witnesses of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence against both female and male, adults will be addressed.
The course was definitely an extraordinary experience. I really appreciate putting things to practice with all the group exercises. It is essential to be part of a multi-disciplinary team and learn how to work with others. It is what I enjoyed most.
We had a colleague on mission from Geneva a while back, and when they found out I had completed the IICI investigators course they mentioned that it was the ‘gold standard’ of training and that more human rights officers needed to do it. Could not agree more.
The past two weeks have been such a wonderful experience. So I am writing to say that it was the most interesting, fruitful and pleasant training I have ever been to. Your management of the challenges of our training and your skills in engaging the participants was outstanding. What really amazed me was, how aware you were of everything that was occurring in the classroom, and how you managed to help each attendee personally and to initiate discussions of the topics everyone was thinking and wondering about
You, both the participants and our tutors, are uniquely talented and experienced individuals from whom I learned a lot during my one week with you. Am looking forwards to another opportunity to work with you in an effort to enhance respect and accountability for human rights and end impunity on SGBV crimes.
All our staff have … expressed a STRONG appreciation for the course and articulated the relevance for our work. Very good for our team building also.