This guide explains how police officers involved in criminal investigations into the sexual abuse of a child can centre the child’s needs when arresting a suspect or inviting them for interview, and when informing the child about this.
It is also relevant to social workers and other professionals involved with the child, to help them understand what this stage of the criminal justice process involves and how they can contribute to protecting and supporting the child at this time.
This guide covers situations where a suspect is arrested or invited for interview during an investigation that has already started. Our guide Police log the concerns and make an immediate response outlines the situation where a suspect is arrested during an immediate safety visit at the start of an investigation.
What happens at this point?
During a criminal investigation into the suspected sexual abuse of a child, the police may decide to arrest a suspect or suspects if:
- they believe a crime has been committed.
- it is necessary, justified and proportionate, balancing the needs for public safety with individual rights.
- less intrusive means to achieve the same objectives are not available.
The police may invite the suspect for interview as a voluntary attendee if there is not an imminent safeguarding risk and they are not thought to have been involved in any other offences.
How may the child be feeling?
When a criminal investigation is under way the child may be worried about other people’s reactions. For example, bringing ‘shame on their family or community’. They may not want the criminal investigation to progress further due to fear that someone will see the suspect being arrested.
If the suspect is a peer, the child may fear blame or isolation for the arrest by their friends or classmates.
Once the suspect has been arrested, the child may feel a mixture of relief and anxiety about what will happen next.
If the suspect has been invited for interview but not arrested, the child may wonder whether this means the police don’t really believe the abuse has happened. It is important that you explain this is not the case.
If the child does not believe they have been sexually abused (for example, because they believe they are or were in a ‘relationship’ with the suspect), they are likely to be confused, resentful, and angry. They will need help to make sense of the professional’s concerns for them and why the investigation is happening.
How can the police best help the child?
There are many ways to help the child:
- Try to minimise the child’s distress.
- Be discreet about when and where you will make the arrest.
- Communicate with the family about what is happening, why it is happening and how the investigation will progress and give regular updates.
- In the case of police investigation and prosecution, make sure they have realistic expectations of the length of time that this can take.
- If the suspect has been arrested but is not going to be held in custody, take action to ensure the child’s safety.
- Consider how to support the child and family, including whether to make a referral to an independent sexual violence adviser (ISVA) or a child and young person’s sexual violence advocate (CYPSVA).
- Consider whether the child needs or is ready for therapeutic support.