현재까지 장애인에 대한 진술면담은 주로 성폭력피해를 중심으로 수사기관에 의한 조사기법이 논의되어 왔다. 그러나 장애는 인권 침해, 학대와 같은 사안에서도 더욱 취약한 요소로 작용할 수 있으며, 모든 사안이 형사사건으로 종결되는 것도 아니다. 그렇기에 장애인들을 1차적으로 상대하는 장애인 인권센터, 권익옹호기관의 개입과 역할이 매우 중요한데, 장애인으로부터 진술을 청취하는 과정에는 피해 당사자의 기억과 피암시성이 작용한다. 이때 경험한 사실을 왜곡되거나 오염되지 않은 상태로, 있는 그대로의 내용을 청취하기 위해서는 면담자의 중립적이고 객관적인 면담기법이 요구된다. 본 연구에서는 장애의 각 유형과 특성에 유의한 면담기법을 제시하기 위하여 우선 장애인에 대한 진술면담이 지니는 특성과 현재 널리 통용되는 전문적 면담기법을 살펴보았다. 또한 아동, 장애인 등과 같이 취약한 당사자의 진술에 대한 증명력을 판단하는 판례의 준거 및 장애의 유형과 특성, 실무에서 경험한 실증적 내용을 기반으로 상황에 따라 융통성 있게 적용될 수 있는 면담기법을 연구하였다. 이는 크게 사전단계, 고유한 개인화와 라포형성, 기본규칙 설명과 서술화 연습, 정보 수집 및 종결로 구분되며, 전 과정을 거쳐 피면담자인 장애인의 특성을 고려한 질문기법과 의사소통방식이 이루어져야 한다. 장애로 인한 진술능력은 장애의 유형마다 상이하며, 같은 유형이라 하더라도 개인의 고유한 사회 환경적 요소에 따라 크게 차이가 난다. 따라서 제시한 기준을 피면담자의 개인적 특성에 대한 고려 없이 기계적으로 적용하게 되면, 예상과는 다른 반응에 당황하여 면담자의 전문적이고 중립적인 자세 유지가 곤란할 수 있다. 각 단계를 통해 얻고자 하는 방향과 목적, 이유를 충분히 이해하고, 피면담자와의 편안하고 신뢰로운 라포 형성을 통하여 개별적 특성을 파악한 후 각 단계의 목적에 맞게 융통성 있게 활용하여야 할 것이다.
Over the past few years, forensic interviewing to obtain information from victims with disabilities has been discussed mainly by investigative agencies focusing on victims of sexual violence. However, disability can be a more vulnerable factor in cases such as violation of human rights, abuse, and neglect as well as sexual violence. Furthermore, victims of crime who have a disability can be less able to contact law enforcement and, without disability accommodations, help in the investigation of their victimization. All these cases against persons with disabilities are not proceeded as criminal cases. In this regard, the role of organizations for the disabled dealing with human rights and interests of persons with disabilities is very important. Because these agencies check the facts of discrimination, exploitation and violence, and abuse against persons with disabilities, ask for necessary administrative disposition, and advocate the rights of persons with disabilities. In order to fulfill this role, disability organizations providing help support and assistance for persons with disabilities should interview persons with disabilities. There are the psychological vulnerabilities of people with disabilities attempting to give reliable accounts of events when interviewed by the advocates for the disabled and when testifying in court. Due to improper interviewing, cases involving victims with disabilities have rarely been moved forward for prosecution. In other words, when an interview has not occurred or has not followed the steps of a professional interview, it may make it difficult later on to defend the interview process or content. This study aimed to increase the capacity of advocates for abuse victims who have a disability to interview to people with disabilities in a sensitive and effective manner, recognizing the unique needs of certain individuals. The main aim of the study is offering guidance and tips on approaching and interacting with victims who have a disability to find out if he or she has been maltreated and if they have special needs. Advocates for abuse victims who have a disability should learn proper interviewing techniques. They need to obtain an objective comprehensive history before the abuse victims or witness who have a disability is interviewed, carefully prepare for the interview. They should build rapport with interviewee by orienting the individual and conduct a non-leading, non-suggestive, and non-contaminating interview which will produce reliable and complete information from the victims. It is suggested to first ask victims with disabilities to provide a narrative account of the event in question, since this aspect of the interview tends to contain the most reliable information. The interviewer should use the questioning techniques, taking into the account the type and the degree of disability. When closing the interview, the interviewer should thank the victims with disabilities for participating, regardless of the outcome of the interview. The interviewer also should encourage the victims with disabilities to contact him or her later when the victims thinks of new information.
Advocates for abuse victims who have a disability have more contact with victims than any other criminal justice professional. This makes their role critical and puts them in a unique position to assist victims immediately after the abuse and encourage and facilitate victim participation in the criminal justice system.