What interviewing approach is recommended to support disclosure in abuse cases?

What interviewing approach is recommended to support disclosure in abuse cases?

• A. Confrontational questioning to press for details.
• B. Trauma-informed interviewing that builds trust and safety.
• C. Leading questions to guide to the truth.
• D. Rapid-fire questioning without breaks.

Answer: (B)

Trauma-informed interviewing that builds trust and safety is the best approach because disclosure in abuse cases is more likely when the interview environment feels secure, supportive, and nonjudgmental. This method centers on the survivor’s control and pace, using open-ended, non-leading questions, offering breaks, and validating feelings. By prioritizing safety, autonomy, and clear explanations of confidentiality and limits, it reduces fear and the risk of retraumatization, which are common barriers to sharing difficult experiences. The focus is on creating rapport and minimizing triggers, so the survivor can disclose information in a way that reflects their memory and concerns more accurately. Confrontational questioning tends to pressure the person and can shut down disclosure. Leading questions hint at a particular answer and can bias memory. Rapid-fire questioning overwhelms and disrupts processing, making recall less reliable. In contrast, trauma-informed interviewing supports disclosure by fostering trust and control, which helps survivors share more complete and accurate information.

Trauma-informed interviewing that builds trust and safety is the best approach because disclosure in abuse cases is more likely when the interview environment feels secure, supportive, and nonjudgmental. This method centers on the survivor’s control and pace, using open-ended, non-leading questions, offering breaks, and validating feelings. By prioritizing safety, autonomy, and clear explanations of confidentiality and limits, it reduces fear and the risk of retraumatization, which are common barriers to sharing difficult experiences. The focus is on creating rapport and minimizing triggers, so the survivor can disclose information in a way that reflects their memory and concerns more accurately.

Confrontational questioning tends to pressure the person and can shut down disclosure. Leading questions hint at a particular answer and can bias memory. Rapid-fire questioning overwhelms and disrupts processing, making recall less reliable. In contrast, trauma-informed interviewing supports disclosure by fostering trust and control, which helps survivors share more complete and accurate information.