North Olmsted Creates Soft Interview Rooms
In North Olmsted, the traditional police interview rooms for survivors of sexual assault and trauma are being remodeled through the lens of a “safe space” approach. Previous interview rooms forced survivors to recount painful memories in impersonal and potentially frightening environments. Additionally, these rooms were the same spaces where detectives interviewed suspects.
The new “soft interview rooms” are constructed with the hope of providing comfort for those who have experienced the unimaginable. Soft chairs, decorative lamps, and artwork on the walls shape each space into a location where survivors can relax to the best of their ability. North Olmsted has created the first soft interview rooms in Northeast Ohio.
Instead of a sterile environment accompanied by fluorescent light and a threatening atmosphere, the department has implemented spaces where survivors feel valued. Often, during police interviews, people who have experienced trauma feel even more victimized. This is due to the invasive and sensitive nature of assault and abuse cases. This fear does not create a suitable environment for either party to work towards solving the crime at hand.
The transformation would not be complete without Texas-based nonprofit Project Beloved. The organization’s mission is to reduce stigmas surrounding sexual assault and aid survivors. Project Beloved contributed $1,000 to complete the renovations. North Olmsted detectives have begun to use the soft interview rooms, and many have appreciated the comfort and accessibility when speaking with survivors.
Police Chief Bob Wagner is extremely appreciative of the efforts surrounding this project, stating that “victims of trauma need to feel warmth and comfort in their journey toward healing.”
Authors: Alexis Kabat and Andy Goldwasser
