Communication best practice & - PowerPoint Presentation

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Communication best practice & strategies

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Session outline

Overall purpose of

the communication sessionsWhat is communication?

Why good communication is important Activity: How easy is it?Communication best

practice

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Overall purpose of communication sessions

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Overall purpose of communication sessions

Participants demonstrate knowledge and improved skills in engaging and communicating with child survivors of sexual abuse

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What is communication?

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What is communication?

Conveying information through exchange

of thoughts, using linguistic or non-linguistic forms e.g. speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior

One person gives information, another receives the informationMay be intentional or unintentionalGiving information about

person's

needs, desires, perceptions, knowledge, or affective

states

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Why good communication is important

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Sexual abuse can interfere with a child’s

development.

After sexual abuse, children may find it hard to:

Feel safe with adults

Understand & manage feelings

Adjust back to daily life

All communication should aim to address these common difficulties

Communicate with others

Trust people

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What will happen if you interview children using bad

practice?

Children will stop talking to

you

Children may deny the abuse

happened

Children will feel worse and will suffer

more

Children will tell different people different

things

Children

will be re-traumatized – meaning they will be further damaged emotionally & psychologically from being treated poorly by an adult in charge

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Communication for helping relationships

Goal of communication between service provider & child is to establish a trusting, safe & supportive helping relationship

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The helping relationshipEmpowers child & caregiver(s) to feel cared for & respected by service provider

Every meeting with child survivor & family members is an opportunity for service providers to strengthen helping relationship

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How easy is it?

Easy Hard

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Communication best practice

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Best

practice for communicating

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To be applied to the following types of interviews

Forensic interviews conducted by health workers or policeMedical interviews conducted by health workers Child intake and assessment interviews (with child & family) conducted by case workers

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Group work Each assigned one of the best practice points

Think of ways you can convey the best practice point

Content of what you say / words used Voice – tone, pitch, volume, etc.Body language

Other actions you can take, explanations, choice of location, etc. 10 mins 3 mins each group to present

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1. Do no harm – be careful not to cause further distress

Monitor interactions that can distress child Do not become angry

Do not force to answer questions, or do anything Do not require they repeat story numerous times

Limit activities & communication that cause distress

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2. Be comforting & supportive

Child will likely be referred via a caregiver or adult. When referred…

Be positive, supportive & calmShow you believe the child

Show friendly body languageAsk child when and where, and with whom they would like to talkAsk if they prefer other way of communicating

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3. Be reassuring

Reassure child that it was not their fault & you believe themTell them they are brave for sharing their story, there is no blame or shameEmphasize you are their to help begin the healing process

Tell them the feelings they have are normal

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4. Help the child feel safe I

Space

Safe & comfortable for child. Private, quiet, free from distraction & potential dangerPosition

At same height / level Close enough so s/he does not have talk loudly, but also feels

safe

Where

s/he can see

door

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Help the child feel safe II

Offer choice of having trusted adult they know with them during interview or not

Do not force child to speak to or in front of someone they appear not to trust Do not include the person suspected of abusing the child

Tell the truth even when it is difficult

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5. Talk in a way children will understand I

Present information in language they understand, alter your vocabulary

Ensure it is adapted to age and stage of development

Use variety of means of communicatingYou will need to ask sensitive questions – that’s ok

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Talk in a way children will understand II

Explain questions dealing with sensitive issues

to put child’s fears at easeTell the child you know this is difficult & they can go slowly

Ask the child clear & simple questions, focusing on the last time the incident occurred

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6. Tell children why you are talking with them

Who you are and the purpose of the interview

How long the interview will take

Who the translator is, if one is being usedWhy you are writing information down (if you are)

Let the child have a trusted adult in the room if he or she would like

to

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7. Use appropriate interviewers

Best practice is to ask child if s/he would prefer male or female staff to talk to

Ensure staff member is trained on how to communicate with child survivorsInterviewer must be aware of any information or concerns already known about the case

Interviewed must know what services are available to the child – must not make promises of support they cannot keep

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8. Pay attention to non verbal communication I

Maintain positive body language to ensure comfort and trust

Maintain eye contact where culturally appropriateUse warm / comforting body language

Avoid touching the child unless this is appropriate to convey warmth

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Pay attention to non verbal communication II

Pay attention to the child’s body language

Children may demonstrate signs of physical distress that could signal need to pause the interview:

CryingShaking head Changing posture / turning away

Curling

into ball

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9. Respect children’s thoughts and beliefs

Children have right to express opinions, thoughts & beliefs about what happened & decisions being made

Service providers must communicate to children that they have this rightEmpower child to be in control during communication

Child has right NOT to participate: Child free to answer “I don’t know” or stop speaking, at any time

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Key points

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Key pointsChildren who have experienced abuse may find it extremely difficult to talk to others about it

Good communication from beginning ensures child survivor willing to engage further, & enables service provider to offer appropriate care and treatment

Communication must demonstrate empathy & belief, build trust, create feeling of safety & support

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