RAPPORT BUILDING IS CRITICAL WHEN INTERVIEWING CHILDREN ON SEXUAL ABUSE 

A good way to start a CSA interview is to have a standard introduction. Keep it simple, polite, friendly, and warm. Complex, and overly detailed do not work well with children. “My name is _______, and I am a (social worker, police officer, doctor etc.,). My job is to talk to children about lots of different things” (Sorenson, Bottoms, & Perona, 1997).

ESTABLISHING RAPPORT

• assess the developmental skills of the child
• focus on child’s language and reasoning
• assess whether there are any developmental delays
• rapport building begins with first contact with the child
• never assume that rapport building is unnecessary 

RAPPORT BUILDING GUIDELINES

1. Create a comfortable and safe atmosphere that allows the child to talk openly
2. Build a rapport on mutual confidence, respect, acceptance
3. Refer to the child by name as much as possible
4. Make the interview a joint undertaking between you and the child
5. Give the child your undivided attention
6. Convey that you want to listen and can be trusted
7. Give reassurance and support when required
8. Listen openly and non-judgmentally
9. Speak slowly and clearly in a calm, friendly, accepting manner
10. Interrupt only when necessary
11. Use a warm and expressive tone
12. Maintain a natural, relaxed, and attentive posture
13. Make appropriate eye contact
14. Ask tactful questions
15. Time questions and comments appropriately
16. Show interest
17. Deal with anxiety

New York State Children’s Justice Task Force Forensic Interviewing Best Practices (Sattler, 1998).