Disclosure and Recantation: A Journey To Be Understood

Workshop Description:  

Children/youth who experience abuse or neglect may describe what happened to them in many ways. When a child/youth talks about abuse, it is called disclosure. Disclosures can be purposeful or accidental. 

Disclosing abuse or neglect is a process or a journey not a destination. Part of the journey often includes recantation or taking back the disclosure. Understanding the dynamics of the process a child/youth may go through when disclosing, including recantation, can help us understand how to better conduct our investigations, forensic interviews and therefore help in the healing journey. Additionally, we need to understand this process, including what the research tells us is "normal" in order to work effectively in the courtroom. 

This training will help learners better understand the disclosure process, including recantation. Learners will gain knowledge and resources- including the most updated research- along with practical solutions on incorporating the information into practice.  

Learning Objectives:  

At the end of this training, learners will be able to: 

• Identify disclosure in children and adolescents (youth) 

• Recognize the types of disclosure 

• Understand why a child may step back or recant a disclosure 

• Learn how to support a child through the disclosure process