© 2002 Jordan Institute
for Families

Vol. 7, No. 2
May 2002

• Be aware of one's own feelings, and remain calm and nonjudgmental.
• Listen carefully.
• Keep the talk brief by not "interrogating" the child, asking questions only to clarify them.
• Use language the child can understand.
• Let the child know he or she is believed.
• Reassure the child that he or she is not to blame for what happended and that he or she was right to tell about it.
• Explain to the child what will happen next in the reporting process.