How should one handle a child's emotional response when they report abuse?

When a child reports abuse, it is crucial to respond with a calm and supportive demeanor. This approach helps create a safe and trusting environment for the child, allowing them to feel heard and validated. Emotional responses to abuse can be intense and varied, and showing empathy and understanding acknowledges the child's feelings and experiences. This supportive reaction fosters a sense of safety, encouraging the child to share more about their experiences if they feel comfortable doing so.

In contrast, dismissing a child's feelings can cause additional trauma, as it minimizes their experience and may lead them to believe that their feelings are not important. Discussing the matter openly with others, while sometimes necessary for taking proper action, can be inappropriate in the moment the child is sharing their story. It can also make the child feel exposed and unsafe. Changing the subject fails to address the child's concerns and can signal to them that their experiences are not worthy of genuine attention or concern. Thus, maintaining a calm and supportive demeanor is the most effective and sensitive way to respond when a child reports abuse.