What distinguishes a victim-centered interview from a suspect-focused interrogation?

• A. The victim-centered approach uses coercive tactics to obtain admissions.
• B. The suspect-focused approach prioritizes victim safety.
• C. The victim-centered interview prioritizes safety, consent, and autonomy, uses non-threatening, collaborative approaches; the suspect-focused aims to elicit admissions and evidence; VCITP steers away from coercive tactics.
• D. Both approaches are identical.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is the difference in approach and goals between talking with a victim and interrogating a suspect. In a victim-centered interview, the priority is the person’s safety, consent, and autonomy. The style is non-threatening and collaborative, using open-ended questions that let the survivor guide what they share, with the investigator focusing on gathering reliable information while minimizing retraumatization. In contrast, a suspect-focused interrogation aims to elicit admissions and collect evidence against the suspect, often relying on more directive questioning and tactics designed to overcome resistance. VCITP emphasizes avoiding coercive tactics and maintaining a respectful, survivor-centered dynamic. This makes the described approach the best fit.