Preparing your child for a forensic interview

 Keep it simple and reassuring. Tell your child they are coming to talk with a grown-up whose job is to talk with and listen to children. 

Using simple, age-appropriate language helps your child feel prepared and allows everyone to work together as a team.

 Avoid practicing questions or discussing details beforehand. Your calm reassurance can help your child feel safe and reduce anxiety. Although you might feel practicing could be helpful, it actually can hinder the process and make it more difficult for them to share their experience in their own words. 

 While it may feel easier to give another reason for the visit, this can create confusion and may affect your child’s sense of trust and safety making it harder for them to trust the grown-ups supporting them.