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.