The fact that an estimated 90 percent of perpetrators of child sexual abuse are family members or other persons the victim knows produces unusual psychological issues in these cases. The 'accommodation syndrome' described by Summit explains why child victims often lie, change their stories, and even recant them. The five components of this syndrome are secrecy due to shame and guilt, feelings of helplessness, a feeling of being trapped, delayed and unconvincing disclosure, and retraction of the statement after experiencing family instability and other adverse consequences of reporting the abuse. The child may also have accepted the abuse because of receiving rewards for it, experienced dissociation or transference, or taken on a parental role. Police officers should prepare for the interview by gathering as much information as possible. The setting for the interview should be one in which the child feels safe. The interviewer must also speak the child's language, build trust during the initial phase of the interview, be direct, and be understanding and supportive when the child discloses the facts. The officer should also prepare the child for the other criminal justice and medical processes to be encountered. Police officers can also benefit from knowledge of therapeutic interviewing techniques. A list provides interviewing approaches to avoid. 9 footnotes.