
My Child has a Forensic Interview
Before the Interview
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Tell your child that they will be meeting with a specialist about what was reported.
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Give your child a day or two’s notice to feel comfortable with this appointment.
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Make sure you tell your child they are not in trouble.
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Give your child permission to talk to the interviewer about what they have told you.
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It is important that you do not rehearse with your child what they should say.
After the Interview
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Show your child that you’re interested in their experience. It’s okay to ask how things went, like what the room was like and if the interviewer was nice.
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Don’t press your child for specifics. The purpose of the interview is so the child doesn’t have to keep repeating the discomforting details.
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Most children feel relieved after the interview and may seem like their normal selves. Some children may show other feelings, such as sadness or fear about the circumstance.