Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions The child should be asked whether s/he has a preference regarding the gender of the interviewer. During an interview, you should also be attentive to signs that the child is growing anxious or overwhelmed and, when necessary, offer a break. Key points: Chapter 5 • Interviewing is important for a number of purposes, such as collecting information, assessing its credibility and cross-checking. • It is crucial to prepare for an interview and to be clear about what you hope to achieve. • Interviewing is a delicate task and a primary goal is to build rapport with the interviewee. Basic principles should be followed in terms of opening the interview, asking open and non-leading questions, closing the interview and respecting confidentiality. • Follow-up is essential, for example by preparing an affidavit or identifying other people to interview. • Interviewing victims of trauma poses specific challenges; an interviewer needs to be prepared for this and know how to respond appropriately. Further reading In the CD-Rom Training Manual on Human Rights Monitoring (see Chapter VIII: Interviewing); Professional Training Series No. 7; OHCHR; 2001 Istanbul Protocol: Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; Professional Training Series No. 8; OHCHR; 2001 The Torture Reporting Handbook; Camille Giffard, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex; 2000 54 | Chapter 5: Interviewing