Vicarious trauma is the emotional impact that can result from repeatedly hearing about or witnessing other people's traumatic experiences. For child advocacy workers, therapists, victim advocates, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, and others who work with children affected by abuse, vicarious trauma can be a real occupational challenge.

When a child discloses abuse, one of the first questions many adults ask is: “What happens next?” For many children, the next step is something called a forensic interview: a term that can sound intimidating, clinical, or even frightening if you don’t know what it really means.