Appendix G: Interview met kinderen

Interview of the Children

(Adapted from materials written by the Child Witness to Violence Program, Boston City Hospital)

 

Questions in this section will focus on three areas:

o The child’s account of what he/she saw and how he/she understands the violence.

o The impact of witnessing violence.

o The child’s worries about safety.

 

A. Child's Account of What He/She Saw

Worker: "Sometimes when parents fight they get angry... maybe too angry and they may start to yell at each other or even hit each other. We know this is scary for children. I want to ask you a few questions about when your parents fight and what you think about it."

Note: Older children are more likely to minimize reports of parental fighting out of loyalty to parents; They will protect parents. Younger children may be more spontaneous and less guarded with their reports.

 

Questions:

  1. What kinds of things do Mom and Dad (boyfriend, partner) fight about?
  2. What happens when they fight?
  3. Do they yell at each other?
  4. Do they hit one another?
  5. How does the hitting usually start?
  6. What do you do when this is going on?
  7. What do you think about when this is happening?
  8. Do you ever get hit or hurt when Mom and Dad are fighting?
 
B. Assessment of the Impact of the Exposure to Violence

Questions:

9. Do you find that you think about your parents fighting a lot?
  • When do you think about it?
  • What do you think about?
10. Do these thoughts ever come in at school or while you are playing?
11. Do you ever have trouble sleeping at night? Why? Do you have nightmares?
12. Why do you think Mom and Dad (boyfriend, partner) fight so much?
13. What would you like them to do to make it better?

 

C. Child's Worries About Safety

Questions:

14. What do you do when Mom and Dad (boyfriend, partner) are fighting?

Stay in the same room            Go to older sibling

Leave or hide                          Ask parents to stop

Phone someone                     Other (describe)

Run out/get someone

15. When Mom and Dad are fighting, what do you worry about the most?
16. In an emergency:

 

If children don't have some idea of whom to call, the social worker should give them basic information or help the mother think of where the children could go if the parents are fighting or engaged in assaultive behavior. Could they go to another room? A neighbor's house? Information gathered from this interview should always be shared with the mother to help her understand the effects of domestic violence on her children, as long as the children's safety will not be compromised.

 

Afkomstig uit: Santa Clara County Social Services Agency, Department of Family and Children's Services. (1996). Family Violence Prevention Best Practice Guide.