• Use diagrams and flow charts to explain any processes and show options.


• Signpost topics by setting out the structure and topics of the meeting on a whiteboard or piece of paper. Point out when you have finished one part and are moving onto the next part.


SAPOL require that victims and witnesses with significant communication and/or cognitive suppot needs must be interviewed by members of the Victim Management Team at the Public Protection Branch.


After the meeting or court attendance


• Review the communication plan and document any of the above strategies and resources that assisted.


See also - page 26 for information on sensory overload.


CASE STUDY Following the way of the green frog


An adult client with an intellectual disability used a soft green frog toy as her self-regulating item. The frog was her connection between her familiar everyday environment and the unfamiliar world of a police interview. When she was losing focus during the interview, she began to jump the frog around and engage the interviewer in following the frog.


After a minute or so of this playful interlude, she was ready to return to the interview questions. She would hold and cuddle the frog and this seemed to assist her focus.


Respecting and following her way of achieving grounding, focus and cooperation in this stressful and unfamiliar environment was the essential starting point for obtaining her clearest evidential account.


19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39