Table 4.
History-Taking Phases
| Phase | Definition |
|---|---|
| Instructions | Explain the purpose of the evaluation and the child’s role. |
| Rapport-building | Put the child at ease and encourage them to provide narrative responses. |
| Assessment | Assess whether the child describes abuse. |
| Eliciting details | If a child reports abuse, elicit limited details. |
| Closure | Remind the child of concern for safety, answer questions, and provide reassurance. |