- The most important thing is to believe your child. Many children who are not believed will not risk telling a trusted adult again.
- Remain calm and let the child tell his/ her story.
- Don’t interrogate the child – let them tell their story in their own words.
- Reassure the child that it is not their fault and that they did nothing wrong.
- Report the incident to the appropriate authority where professionals will provide the child a safe environment in which to talk to specially trained adults. This lessens the trauma experienced by the child.
Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center
4th Judicial District of Tennessee
Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson & Sevier Counties
A beacon of hope and healing,
Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center
is dedicated to serving children
who are victims of severe neglect,
physical and sexual abuse
through prevention, education
and intervention.
