Prepare for Your Visit
What To Expect
This page is designed to guide you through the forensic interview process, explain who you will meet, and outline what happens before, during, and after your visit. Our goal is to support your family with honesty, compassion, and trauma-informed care as you take this important step toward safety, hope, and healing.
It is recommended that your child complete a forensic interview. What does this look like?
A forensic interview is the first step in moving towards hope and healing for both you and your child. This interview is recommended in the best interest of the child, in the hopes that it will limit the number of times the child has to talk about their experience. Preparation for the interview is just as important as the interview itself.
The following steps can be completed in the days leading up to the child’s interview:
Have an open conversation with your child regarding what they can expect their time at the CAC to look like. You can tell them that they will be meeting with someone whose job it is to talk to kids, and that it is okay to talk about their experience.
Be transparent about why the interview is happening and what it will look like. If a child was victimized, their sense of choice, consent, and control may have already been violated. As their trusted adult, it is important that you are honest with them about where they are going and why. It can feel overwhelming if the child is told they’re going to the dentist but they end up at the CAC to potentially discuss a traumatic event.
Remind them that they are not in trouble, that you are proud of how brave they are being, and that they did the right thing by telling someone. Caregiver support is one of the strongest predictors of resiliency in child survivors of abuse. Meet them where they are at and be patient during this time. Let them know you will be nearby, in another room while they are in their interview, and that they can take a break to check in with you at any point during the interview.
If a medical exam was discussed, talk to your child about what this might look like. The medical exam is a head-to-toe checkup that aims to let children know their bodies are healthy and normal, even if they have experienced abuse. If there are concerns related to abuse, our nurse will be able to assess and provide next steps for getting the necessary care.
Talk with your child about the people they may meet during their time at the CAC - see descriptions below.
Who will be involved in the case?
Forensic Interviewer
The first member of our team is called a “forensic interviewer,” and they will conduct the interview with the child. The interviewer will ask open-ended questions to help the child explain if something has happened to them. The forensic interviewer’s job is to talk to children to ensure they are safe, and if they are not safe, to gather information to take steps towards keeping that child safe.
Family Advocate
The first member of our team is called a “forensic interviewer,” and they will conduct the interview with the child. The interviewer will ask open-ended questions to help the child explain if something has happened to them. The forensic interviewer’s job is to talk to children to ensure they are safe, and if they are not safe, to gather information to take steps towards keeping that child safe.
What is the interview like?
Our interview room is set up like a small living room, with couches, fidget toys, paper, pencil, colored pencils, and crayons. The cameras are visible in the top corners of the room, which allows our team to view the interview from a separate room. The forensic interview is completely child-led and trauma informed, meaning that the interviewer does not force or lead the child into talking about specific topics. Our interviewers are specially trained to speak with children in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner. If the child decides they are no longer interested in talking, that is their choice, and we will honor that. Your child can also request a break at any point during the interview.
Who will be in the Interview Room?
The only people in the interview room will be the child and the interviewer. Members of our multi-disciplinary team sit in a separate room to view the interview through CCTV. Those individuals could include law enforcement, children and youth (CYS), and/or the district attorney’s office. These professionals meet as a team to ensure that the child’s safety is secured through a collaborative effort from all involved parties. During your child’s interview, you will meet with our family advocate to discuss any needs or concerns you might have, and coordinate referrals as needed.
My child was offered a medical exam - what would this look like?
At scheduling, you may have been offered a forensic medical exam with one of our trained pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners. If you and your child decide to move forward with an exam, the nurse will meet with you after the child’s interview to discuss the exam and obtain consent from you and the child. (Participating in the examination is up to your child – if they decline, we will honor that). The exam is a non-invasive check-up that reassures your child of any concerns that may have come up following potential sexual abuse. The nurse will report any findings to you and inform you of next steps, such as testing or follow up care that might be needed.
What happens after the interview?
Once the interview and medical exam (if relevant) are complete, you will have the opportunity to meet with the members of the multi-disciplinary team to discuss any questions, concerns, or next steps. The family advocate will coordinate any referrals that you discussed and will check in a few days after your interview. Law enforcement and/or children and youth will contact you in the following week to communicate their plan and next steps.