Interviewing for sexual abuse: reliability and effect of interviewer gender

An interview to detect histories of sexual abuse was administered to consecutive attenders at a gynecology clinic on two occasions, on one occasion by a male interviewer and on the other by a female interviewer. Fifty-six subjects were assessed, and at least partial agreement was found in 70% between the two interviews. Approximately one-third of incidents were reported at only one of the interviews, with gender of interviewer making little apparent difference to this. Contrary to expectation, subjects appeared more forthcoming at the first interview. Reasons for this are discussed. Interviews for sexual abuse must be carried out in an appropriate context, and simple routine screening questions may not be appropriate. Selection of interviewers on the basis of gender alone may not be helpful.