What is the primary objective of establishing rapport with a sexual assault survivor during an interview?

• A. To arrest suspects at the scene.
• B. To build trust, reduce retraumatization, gather accurate information, and support safety and voluntary disclosure.
• C. To determine criminal liability.
• D. To pressure disclosure through coercion.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that building rapport with a sexual assault survivor during an interview creates a safe, respectful space that supports the survivor and the interview process. When rapport is established, the survivor feels heard and respected, which reduces the risk of retraumatization that can happen with rushed, hostile, or coercive questioning.

This safe environment also helps you gather more accurate information. A survivor is more likely to share details truthfully and recall events more consistently when they trust the interviewer and don’t fear judgment or pressure. At the same time, rapport supports safety and voluntary disclosure: the survivor can decide what to share, when to share it, and how to proceed, which is crucial for their well-being and for a trustworthy interview record.

Coercive pressure or aiming to arrest at the scene aren’t the goals of building rapport; those are law enforcement actions or strategies that may undermine trust. Similarly, determining criminal liability is a legal assessment that relies on all evidence, not the primary aim of the survivor interview. By contrast, a trauma-informed approach centers on trust, safety, and the survivor’s autonomy, opting for open-ended questions, consent, and pacing rather than coercion.