From Re-Traumatization of Victims Toward a Just Criminal Legal Process: the Importance of Professional Training on the NICHD Protocol on Children's Interview Technique

Trauma-informed, child-friendly investigative interviewing is essential to achieving justice while protecting child victims from further harm. This practitioner-oriented article explores the implementation of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Protocol in Hungary, focusing on its integration into law enforcement education and practice. Drawing from an interview with M & aacute;rta Fekete, trainer, educator, and one leader of Hungary's first postgraduate certification program in forensic child interviewing, the article highlights the challenges and transformative potential of structured interview techniques. Fekete reflects on the systemic limitations of traditional police training, the fragmented nature of interdisciplinary teaching, and the resistance to adopting non-confrontational methods. Emphasizing the role of experiential learning and emotional self-awareness, the training prioritizes both technical proficiency and personal growth. The manuscript discusses the broader societal implications of trauma-informed interviewing, including reduced victim blaming, greater public trust, and improved long-term outcomes for children. By promoting a paradigm shift from adult-focused interrogation to structured, empathetic communication focusing on children, the NICHD-based training fosters a more just, child-centered criminal justice process. The article closes with a call to redefine investigative success: not solely by conviction rates, but by the dignity and psychological safety of child victims preserved throughout the legal process.