First responders play a vital role in the initial interview process for children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence and sexual abuse.
It is imperative that first responders have a trauma-informed interviewing style. Before the interview, the first responder may need to implement components of psychological first aid such as identifying if the child is thirsty or hungry, cold, or needs medical attention to injuries.
The interview needs to be conducted at the child’s eye level to enhance their sense of safety, connection to the interviewer, empowering their sense of control, and within the child’s attention span. Trauma informed interviewing also designs questions that does not place guilt or responsibility on the child and recognizes that the child may respond nonverbally (i.e, head nod or acting out the response).
Questions also need to be non-leading and meets the child’s cognitive level: “Can you tell me what happened?” Do you remember what you were thinking or feeling when you saw your mother hurt?” First responders can also incorporate clarifying questions, as some children have been taught to identify body parts with “cutesy” terms such as cookie (vagina) or the perpetrator is called by a nickname instead of legal or parental name. The interview needs to be conducted away from the environment or person where the abuse occurred to reduce maintaining stress hormones from the trauma that impacts the nervous system.
The reduction in stress hormones will help the brain regulate itself, so the child can process questions to provide a response. To conclude, it is necessary for first responders to have the necessary education and training for interviewing children who have experienced or witnessed trauma in order to provide them with the high-quality care in distress.
A call to action for a first responder is to request trauma-informed education and training from their leaders.
About the Author
Sheree Burnett is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. She has over 10 years of working with various populations in community mental health, private practice, hospital, and university settings. She has particular training in working with trauma individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence. She has conducted didactic training, participated in panel conferences, and co-developed department initiatives to bring awareness about domestic violence and celebrate survivors of domestic abuse. She also obtained certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that further allows her to assist survivors with their healing journey in therapy.
