VICTIM INTERVIEWS PROVIDE OBSERVATIONS AND DATA WITH WHICH TO ASSESS THE AMOUNT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS THE CHILD AND HIS OR HER FAMILY ARE EXPERIENCING. THE INTERVIEWS ALSO PROVIDE PERTINENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACTUAL ASSAULT. FACTORS THAT NEED TO BE ASSESSED IN PREPARATION FOR AN INTERVIEW -- WHO REPORTED THE ASSAULT, WHEN THE ASSAULT OCCURRED, AND THE EMOTIONAL STATE OF THE CHILD -- ARE DISCUSSED. CONSIDERATIONS IN MAKING THE INITIAL APPROACH TO THE CHILD AND TO FAMILY MEMBERS ARE REVIEWED, AND TECHNIQUES FOR ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE WITH THE CHILD ARE DESCRIBED. WAYS OF ENCOURAGING THE CHILD TO DESCRIBE THE ASSAULT ARE DISCUSSED, AND TECHNIQUES FOR HANDLING PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT INTERVIEWS ARE SUGGESTED. CIRCUMSTANCES THAT INDICATE THE NEED FOR SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE YOUNG PERSON'S EMOTIONAL STATE ARE IDENTIFIED, INCLUDING EXISTENCE OF A PRIOR OR CURRENT PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEM, PREVIOUS RAPES, AND/OR EVIDENCE THAT THE VICTIM LACKS EMOTIONAL CONTROL OVER SELF-DESTRUCTIVE IMPULSES. QUESTIONS THAT CAN PROVIDE AN INDICATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT ON THE CHILD ARE NOTED. CASE EXAMPLES ARE CITED.