Police

Child sexual abuse is a criminal matter and needs to be reported to the police immediately.

If a child has reported abuse, please contact your local police station. Please let them know that your child has disclosed information about sexual abuse. They may make a time for you and your child (and possibly other family members) to be interviewed.

Some things you may need to consider before you go to the police station:

♥ Prepare your child. Without telling your child what to say, encourage them to be honest and answer the police officers’ questions as best as they can. ♥ Praise your child for their bravery. ♥ Children are interviewed on their own – you cannot go in with them. This is to ensure that children aren’t influenced by the actions of a third party in the room. Your child can take a break when and if it’s needed. ♥ Take a support person, if possible. They can be with you while your child is interviewed and be with your child while the police talk to you. ♥ Is there an item of comfort that they can take, such as a teddy bear, toy car or blanket? This will help make this interview as least confrontational as possible.

WHILST AT THE POLICE STATION

♥ There will be a visible camera in the room used to record interviews. ♥ Many children have different experiences and perceptions of police officers and some children may feel frightened. Things they may worry about: ♥ Will they get in trouble? ♥ Will they go to jail? ♥ Will people that they love go to jail or be angry for them talking about this? ♥ Reassure your child that the police are there to help. ♥ The physical environment is important. Is there a quiet area they can wait without being interrupted? Is the area away from other general business? ♥ Non-verbal communication is important: the tone of voice and body language of people around them will have a significant impact on your child feeling comfortable enough to tell what has happened to them.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE POLICE STATION, THESE MAY BE USEFUL ANSWERS TO HAVE:

♥ Do you have the name of the person who has interviewed your child today? ♥ Do they have enough information to open an investigation? ♥ Who do you contact if your child discloses more information? ♥ What other information do you need?