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For example : Child :
I was all alone at night , then I was very scared . And uncle was the only one in the house after dad left .
Adult : |
Tell me more about it , as best you can . Use your own words . Try to explain . |
Child : |
Uncle came into my bedroom when it was late , he came to my bed . |
Adult : |
And what happened then ? |
Child : |
Uncle came into my bed and started to touch me . |
KEY TO KNOW
Adult :
So , you were in your bedroom alone after dad left , and then your uncle came into your bed and started to touch you . Is that right ?
• Validate what the child says and support the child to continue saying what happened .
• Summarise what the child says . Check that you have understood correctly .
• Active listening will support the child to continue to tell .
• Summarise what the child says . Check that you have understood correctly . For example :
Adult : |
So , what happened after that ? Tell me as well as you can , in your own words . |
Child : |
It didn ’ t help to scream . He hit me . |
Adult : |
OK , I see . |
Child : |
That ’ s when the worst stuff began . |
Adult :
Tell me more about the worst part …
Exploring further
• Ask the child to think back to where the event happened , and then about what happened : this facilitates memory recall .
• Ask practical and neutral questions , such as “ Can you draw your room ?” or “ Where is your bed located ?”
• Ask clarifying questions : “ What tends to happen when you ’ re so scared ?”
• Ask the child to be specific , but always in its own words . “ You said they took you behind the house ... Can you say any more about that ?”
It is not uncommon for children to stop suddenly or deny saying what they have just said . Adults need to be patient , and not pressurise a child when it shows resistance . Often , the same information will emerge at a later time .