Frequently Asked Questions

You child’s interview will be observed by our multi-disciplinary investigative team (MDIT) which includes law enforcement and CYS.

We only allow professionals who are directly involved in the investigation to watch. But, once the interview is over, you will have the chance to meet who was involved and ask any questions or voice any concerns that you have.

Since each case is different, each interview lasts for a different amount of time. Interviews typically last anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour.

Children seem to be put at ease by knowing what to expect. It is helpful to inform your child that someone wishes to talk with him or her about what was reported. It is important to reassure your child and give him or her permission to talk freely; however it is equally important not to rehearse with your child or tell your child what to say.

We allow family members and friends to come along for any support. We do not allow any alleged offenders inside of the center to ensure a safe and friendly environment for you and your child.

Abused children often do not feel as good about themselves as non-victimized children. Your child may also feel frustration, anger, guilt, fear, and helplessness. Parents and other family members also need support and understanding.

Professional, evidence-based counseling can help you and your child through this stressful time. If you are interested in receiving counseling or therapy, please contact the Family Advocate for a referral.

If there is a reason to believe that your child has been abused, a medical evaluation is an important step in making sure that they are healthy, both physically and mentally. A medical provider with advanced training in child abuse should examine your child in order to:

• Determine whether your child has any injuries that need to be cared for.
• Answer any questions you or your child have and assure the child that they are healthy and that their body is normal.
• Screen your child for pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections.
• Determine whether your child might benefit from counseling.

Medical exams for child victims of abuse can be different depending on what may have happened to your child. In most child abuse exams, the provider will usually:

• Talk to you and your child about your child’s medical history and about why your child is receiving a medical exam.
• Conduct a head-to-toe physical exam of your child to make sure that they are healthy.
• Conduct a visual exam of your child’s genital area.
• Determine whether your child has any injuries or illnesses that need to be cared for.

In some cases, the medical provider might need to:

• Use a forensic evidence collection kit to gather any evidence.
• Take photographs of your child’s body.
• Order lab work or take swabs of your child’s bodily fluids in order to screen for infections.

If there is a reason to believe that your child has been abused, there are many reasons why they should have a medical evaluation. Some of the benefits are:

• Your child will be seen by a provider who can look for and treat any injuries or infections.
• Your child will be able to ask questions and be assured by the provider that their body is healthy and normal.
• The medical provider can correct any myths that your child may believe about abuse.
• You will be asked questions about your child’s health in order to address any concerns you have.
• By bringing your child in for a medical exam, you are showing your child that you support them and want to help them.

No. the child’s well being is the first priority in a child abuse evaluation, and in most cases, the exam will not hurt. In some instances, however, lab work will be ordered to draw blood to ensure that your child is healthy.

Medical providers who conduct child abuse exams receive special training on how to conduct the exam in a child-sensitive manner that minimizes discomfort to the child.

No. In medical evaluations of young children, the medical provider will only conduct a visual exam of the child’s genital area, and nothing will be placed inside of the child. For teenage girls, the exam may be more similar to a well-woman exam so that the medical provider can thoroughly assess the teenager’s health.

Listen. If you child wants to talk about the interview and/or medical exam, listen. Do not be concerned if your child does not want to talk about the visit. Many children are “tired” of talking and just want to move on. Thank your child for talking and acknowledge his or her courage.

Assure your child of your love and support no matter what was disclosed or determined. Avoid leading your child to think that the interview will end the process. Some cases continue into the legal system and require re-interviews or court testimony.

There are five steps that you, as a parent or caregiver, can take to protect your children from sexual abuse:

Learn the facts about sexual abuse.
It is very likely that you know a child that is being or has been sexually abused. Know that it impacts everyone. (Learn more on the Signs of Abuse page.)

Minimize opportunity.
Limit the opportunities for your child to be in a situation where they are isolated, one-on-one or alone with someone else.

Talk about it!
Talking openly about our bodies, sex and boundaries may make it easier for your child to open up to you about their experiences.

Recognize the signs.
Keep in mind that the signs of abuse aren’t always obvious, so know what to look for.

React responsibly.
Don’t overreact. If your child sees you overreacting, he/she to shut down and change his/her story. Stay calm. Offer your child love and support. Report your discovery to your local law enforcement or CYS right away.

Learn more about age-appropriate sexual behavior at stopitnow.org.

Grooming is when a perpetrator fosters a relationship with a child and builds trust. Grooming makes it difficult to escape the abuse and keeps the child from telling, as he likes the person and feels loyal to him. It makes the child feel that it is his/her fault when abuse occurs. At times the perpetrator uses power and authority as a tool.

It is important to recognize when grooming may be occurring. Once children are groomed, they internalize the abuse as their own fault, making the possibility of them telling someone minimal.

Some signs of grooming to look for:

• Buying the child gifts or giving the child money
• Finding excuses for one-on-one time with the child
• Treating the child as more special than other children
• Viewing child when nude or exposing child to nudity/pornography
• Excessive appropriate touching or inappropriate touching
• Talking about sexual activity with the child

Abusers manipulate children into keeping the abuse a secret. Children feel helpless to disclose the abuse, due to the fact that the abuser has told them many reasons why the child shouldn’t tell. Some reasons why a child would not tell include:

• The abuser is a trusted friend/family member; the child thinks no one will believe him/her.
• The child feels ashamed or embarrassed.
• The abuser has threatened the child or the child’s family.
• The abuser blames the child; the child feels responsible and doesn’t want to get in trouble.
• The abuser bribes the child.
• The child likes his/her abuser and doesn’t want the abuser to get in trouble.

When sexually abused children disclose abuse, it is crucial for the important adults in their live to believe them, support them, and protect them. Everyone, including child victims, needs to have their reality confirmed.

Abused children need for protective adults to acknowledge that the abuse occurred; it is a problem; and it is wrong.