This document provides information on dealing with child sexual abuse victims in a compassionate manner. It emphasizes establishing trust with the victim, extracting information without re-traumatizing them, and ensuring their future safety. Key points include interviewing the victim in a private, comfortable setting; using open-ended, non-leading questions; being prepared for strong emotional reactions; and addressing any medical needs while prioritizing the victim's well-being. The overall goal is to help the victim without further victimizing them during the legal process.
2. Prevalence
• US: -
o 1 in 4 female and 1 in 6 males are sexually
assaulted before the age of 18yrs
o Less than 10% of these will ever tell any one
about this
o Reporting rate 6 to 8 % only
• India: -
o Worse estimates in India (53%)
o Reporting rates may be lower
3. What is Child Sexual Abuse?
• Unwanted sexual activity by a perpetrator
using force, making threats or taking
advantage of victims not being able to give
resist or give valid consent
• Victim less than 18 yrs old
• Most abusers are known
to the victims
4. What is Child Sexual Abuse?
– Inapropriate touching of kids
– Exposing or touching the private
parts of child
– Showing (or gettting touched) ones
private parts to the child
– Having penetrative intercorse (vaginal/anal)
– Making porongraphy of children
– Inappropriate staring, commenting, following,
stalking etc.
6. Psychological Impacts?
LATE COMPLICATIONS
o Depression
o Anxiety Disorder
o Low Self Esteem
o Social Isolation
o Sleep Problems
o Hyperalertness
o DSH (Deliberate Self Harm)
o Difficult Sexual Life
o PTSD
7. Dealing with the victims …????
AIMS OF THE INTERVIEW
o To know the facts
o To secure future safety of the child
o To get a picture of child’s physical & emotional state
o To assess if the child needs medical attention
o To assess if the child needs counselling or psychiatrist
consultation
8. Dealing with the victims …????
• PLACE
– Preferably at the residence of the victim
– In presence of parent or a person of trust
– Away from the accused
– No phones/interruptions/noises/
TV or people walking around
– No overhearing people
9. Dealing with the victims …????
• INTERVIEWER
– Officer not in uniform
– Female officer for a girl child
– Least number of officers to
interview the child
– Watch your body language
and expressions … (Children
are very sensitive about unsaid
part of communication)
10. Dealing with the victims …????
• PRE-INTERVIEW WORK
– Know the language child is
most comfortable in
– Know in who’s company is
child most comfortable
– Know the mental age of child
in case she/he is subnormal
– Do not discuss the case details
in front of the child
11. Dealing with the victims …????
• ESTABLISHING TRUST
– Who you are and what is the
purpose of interviewing the child
(Helping person & not an investigator)
– Explain that her/his safety will be assured
in future
– Explain to the child that what ever
happened is no fault of her/his
– Ask if child is hungry/thirsty
12. Dealing with the victims …????
• ESTABLISHING TRUST
– Explain that everything will be kept confidential
including child’s name/identity
– Not to divulge the name and details to media and
other people
13. Dealing with the victims …????
• EXTRACTING INFORMATION
– Give time to the victim & be a patient listener,
first let the child say whatever she /he wants to tell
– Do not push to extract information
– Allow victim to withhold information (till he/she is
comfortable for information to flow out)
14. Dealing with the victims …????
• EXTRACTING INFORMATION
– Do not probe the child’s private life not to be
unnecessarily probed
– Avoid leading questions
– Use open ended questions
– Secondary victimization?
– Avoid questioning the child’s behavior or
reactions (Why did you not tell mother etc)
15. Dealing with the victims …????
• NO ASSUMPTIONS POLICY
– Do not assume what “sex” or “sexual abuse”
means to the child
– Do not assume the gender of offender
– Do not assume the offender’s identity till
clarified
– Do not interpret child’s silence
16. Dealing with the victims …????
• BE PREPARED
– Be prepared for any type of
emotional reactions
– May include crying, anger
outbursts, screaming, aggression
and even violence
– Let the child vent his/her emotions
if they do so
– Be unconditionally supportive
17. Dealing with the victims …????
• MEDICAL EXAMINATION
– By a woman doctor for a girl child
– In presence of a parent / ‘person of trust’ or
a ‘woman nominated by the head of medical
institution’ (in the absence of first two)
– Issues of being pregnant or getting an STD
must be addressed
18. Dealing with the victims …????
• ABOVE ALL
– Care
– Compassion
– Empathy
– Be empathetic ….. and your mind will
know and create ways to deal with the
victims.
19. SANDHU
HOSPITAL
Saloh Road, Nawanshahar
01823-222674, 224674Facilities: -
•PSYCHIATRY (Brain Ds), DE-ADDICTION, FITS, SEXUAL HEALTH
•SKIN, HAIR, COSMETOLOGY (Filler Botox Dermabrasion PRP Peels)
•Skin LASER Center, HAIR TRANSPLANT & COSMETIC SURGERY
•Fully A.C. Hospital, Private Rooms, Lab. facility, Pharmacy, Canteen