When interviewing a potential victim of sexual violence with the perpetrator present, what should the professional listen for?

• A. Listen for discrepancies on how they described the circumstances involving the current injury.
• B. Interrupt with unrelated questions.
• C. Conclude the interview quickly.
• D. Accept the perpetrator’s version without question.

Answer: (D)

When interviewing a potential victim of sexual violence, especially with the perpetrator present, the priority is to protect the victim and gather a credible, trauma-informed account. The professional should be vigilant for attempts by the perpetrator to control or distort the narrative—coercive language, minimization, threats, or pressure to confirm the perpetrator’s version. Listening for these dynamics helps the interviewer assess credibility while avoiding complicity in silencing or blaming the survivor.

A strong approach includes giving the survivor space to describe what happened in her own words, observing nonverbal cues, and noting any inconsistencies between accounts or between the survivor’s report and physical evidence. When possible, separate interviews can reduce intimidation and help the survivor disclose more fully. Thorough documentation, respectful questioning, and a clear plan for safety and support are essential to ensure the survivor’s voice is heard and the information is usable for any subsequent action.