Administering the VI-SPDAT 2.0

Individual

Take a look at these versions as well!

Information about You!

“What language do you feel best able to express yourself” does not mean:

“What is your first language?”

Review VI-SPDAT Manual for Script, Consent, & Tips

Self-Harm as well as failed attempts to harm yourself or others count for this question. No detail is needed.

Frame these questions with time periods. Help break down the last week or month. Or “since last April?” or “and the April before that?”

v

Stress This Phrase & Space Between Words. Emphasize it is a yes or no question. They don’t need to give you details that might discourage them from being honest.

It is what they

think, not what you think or is

(Purposefully Vague)

Do NOT ask if they have AIDS/HIV. If they are confused, clarify that that is not a trick question: this is about programs that only serve people with HIV/AIDS.

Only Related to Recent

Past.

If they seem confused or overwhelmed by a question, how can the interviewer simplify the question?

Original question

Do you ever do things that may be considered to be risky like exchange sex for money, run drugs for someone, have unprotected sex with someone you don’t know, share a needle, or anything like that?

Simplified question

Do you ever do things that may be considered to be risky?

If they seem confused or overwhelmed by a question, how can the interviewer clarify by rephrasing the question?

Original question

Do you ever do things that may be considered to be risky like exchange sex for money, run drugs for someone, have unprotected sex with someone you don’t know, share a needle, or anything like that?

Reframed/rephrased question

Do you ever do things that may be considered to be risky—for instance, exchanging sex for money, running drugs for someone, having unprotected sex with someone you don’t know, sharing a needle, or anything like that?

If they seem confused or overwhelmed by a question, how can the interviewer clarify by expanding the question?

Original question

In the past 6 months, how many times have you… talked to police because you witnessed a crime, were the victim of a crime, or the alleged perpetrator of a crime, or because the police told you that you must move along?

Expanded question

In the past 6 months, how many times have you talked to police because you witnessed a crime? In the past 6 months, how many times were you the victim of a crime? In the past 6 months how many times were you the alleged perpetrator of a crime? In the past 6 months, how many times did police tell you that you must move along?