“For the beginning case worker or those who wish to know about the relevant issues without necessarily becoming directly involved, this little book provides a useful introduction.” --Child & Family Behavior Therapy “The language is conversational, the style directive, addressing the reader personally and the instructions are explicit and stepwise. Following detailed preparation for the interview, there are good suggestions on how to help the child begin talking about any sexual abuse which she might have experienced. Avoidance of leading questions, with examples, is repeatedly advocated.” --Danya Glaser in ACPP Review & Newsletter Taking a comprehensive look at a complex task, How to Interview Sexual Abuse Victims is an excellent introduction to the process of interviewing children and includes a special segment on the appropriate use of anatomical dolls. Marcia Morgan, cocreator of the dolls, walks the reader through an interview from beginning to end and provides information on how to create an environment intended to minimize the child's trauma as well as enhance the amount, quality, and validity of information obtained. The book examines problems professionals might encounter with young children and material on preinterview preparation. In addition, there are sections included that provide training exercises, a glossary, an annotated bibliography, and a listing of audiovisual resources. Based on the author's many years of experience, as well as case law, How to Interview Sexual Abuse Victims is ideally designed for use by professionals including police, social service workers, and prosecutors. “Overall, this brief book is a worthwhile contribution to the literature on the interviewing of child witnesses…. Those who use, or who are considering using, dolls should ensure that they are familiar with this book's contents.” --Ray Bull, review in Expert Evidence: The International Digest of Human Behaviour Science and Law “Highly recommended.” --Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulletin Book Club

The Interview: Establishing Rapport

The interview: Establishing rapport

The goal of the interview is to create an opportunity to talk and to gather information with minimal trauma for the child.

When you first meet with a child who may have been sexually abused, it is extremely important that you establish a level of trust and communication. Children who have consistently been manipulated by adults do not readily trust other adults. Before an effective interview can take place, you will need to earn the child's trust and establish the rapport necessary for good communication.

Many factors influence whether you are successful in establishing this rapport: how you introduce yourself, your level of comfort when talking with the child, how you respond to the child's comments, the care with which ...

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