Download People with Learning Disabilities as Vulnerable Witnesses

People with Learning Disabilities as Vulnerable Witnesses
Investigative Interviewing and Achieving Best Evidence
Summary
This course provides an opportunity for participants to consider the issues related to supporting people with
learning disabilities who have been abused. The session is designed to enable participants to gain vital
knowledge of the law with regards to People with learning disabilities. This includes supporting someone
through the process of an investigative interview in order that witnesses with learning disabilities are given the
same opportunity to give an account of their experiences as people without learning disabilities.
Course content
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Learning Disability – Context and Practice
The law and learning disability; including reform of relevant legislation – Achieving Best
Evidence/Setting the Boundaries
The Investigative Interview - What it is for and how it is structured?
Questioning techniques and focus on Interview Process
Civil and Criminal Law, Rules of Evidence, The Memorandum of Good Practice – a framework
Outcomes and Objective
Participants will be more able:
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To describe a number of ways in which people with learning disabilities may communicate that they
have been sexually abused, in the long and short term
To describe some emotional dynamics of sexual abuse and the ways in which these dynamics impact
on the victim of abuse
To identify how the dynamics and consequences of sexual abuse may impact on the ABE investigative
process.
Through case study and role play, practice an ABE interview in which a person with learning
disabilities has alleged sexual abuse
Process
The course uses a combination of talk, large and small- group discussion, creative exercises, Question and
Answer sessions, hand-outs and case studies
Suitable for
Professionals who are working with people with learning disabilities who are responsible for interviewing
vulnerable witnesses and want to improve on how they interview possible victims of abuse and exploitation
who have learning disabilities
This course is run over 1 day. It costs £750 plus travel and accommodation (where applicable) the session can
be run for up to 16 people