Experience and Long‐Term Training Effects in Simulated Child Sexual Abuse Interviews

Abstract

Previous research has shown that simulated interviews with avatars can improve question quality, but evidence regarding long-term effects and the role of experience remains limited. We investigated both short- and long-term impacts of avatar training with feedback in Child Protection Services (CPS) worker and student groups. Thirty-one CPS workers and 35 novice students interviewed four child avatars, with half receiving feedback after each interview. After 4 months, the training was repeated with all participants receiving feedback. Training with feedback improved investigative interview quality in the short term, with no substantial decline after 4 months. Experience had no effects on interview quality, nor did it moderate training impact. These findings suggest that avatar-based interview training with feedback could effectively improve investigative interviewing skills across different experience levels, maintaining its effects over a 4-month period.