Which best describes the effect of a victim-centered prompt in interviews?

• A. Inappropriately blame the victim.
• B. Lead the victim to a predetermined conclusion.
• C. Empower the victim, support safety, and encourage agency.
• D. Avoid engaging the victim altogether.

Answer: (C)

A victim-centered prompt centers the survivor’s autonomy, safety, and dignity during the interview. By inviting the victim to share at their own pace with open, nonjudgmental questions, this approach empowers them, supports their sense of safety, and encourages their active participation and agency. When interviewers honor the victim’s control, it reduces fear of blame or coercion and helps build trust, which often leads to more complete and accurate information.

In contrast, blaming the victim, steering toward a predetermined conclusion, or avoiding engaging with the victim all undermine the purpose of a victim-centered approach. Blame adds retraumatization and fear, leading to guarded or withheld information; leading questions push toward a specific narrative and reduce reliability; and avoiding engagement misses opportunities to gather essential details and insight from the survivor.