What to Do if a Child Tells You They Have Been Abused or Neglected?
- Be aware of your own feelings and remain calm and nonjudgmental
- Find a private place to talk with the child
- Keep the talk brief
- Let the child do the talking
- Let the child tell you, in their own words, what happened
- Give the child your undivided attention
- Ask for clarification if the child uses words that are not familiar
- Acknowledge the child’s feelings
- Take notes and try to report quotes from the child
- Interrogate the child
- Probe or press for answers
- Suggest answers
- Interrupt their story
- Ask “why” questions
- Ask leading questions (such as yes or no questions).
