Which of the following is a recommended way to set a victim/survivor at ease?

• A. Focus on Listening
• B. Threaten consequences to ensure cooperation
• C. Press for rapid disclosure
• D. Interrupt the vic to speed up

Answer: (A)

In trauma-informed interviewing, the priority is to create safety and trust for the survivor by centering their voice. Focusing on listening does exactly that. When you listen attentively, you communicate respect, patience, and nonjudgment, which helps the survivor feel more at ease, less coerced, and more willing to share at their own pace.

Listening goes beyond simply hearing words. It involves using open-ended prompts, reflective responses, and letting the survivor lead the pace and details of their story. You validate their emotions, acknowledge difficulties, and avoid pressuring for information they’re not ready to disclose. This approach reduces the risk of re-traumatization, helps you gather information more accurately, and supports the survivor’s sense of control and empowerment.

Other approaches erode safety and can retraumatize. Threatening consequences to gain cooperation creates fear and distrust, making the survivor less likely to disclose and more guarded in future interactions. Pressing for rapid disclosure can overwhelm someone who needs time to process and may compromise what’s shared or how it’s interpreted. Interrupting the survivor breaks the sense of safety and respect, which can stop them from opening up.

So, prioritizing listening establishes the foundation for a respectful, supportive, and effective interaction.