PRIOR TO DISCUSSING THE PHASES OF THE INTERVIEW ITSELF, THE DEVELOPMENTAL LEVELS OF CHILDREN, FACTORS IN SEXUAL ASSAULT AFFECTING CHILDREN'S PERCEPTIONS, AND GENERAL RESPONSES TO THE CHILD ARE DISCUSSED. A PRINCIPAL FACTOR AFFECTING THE PROGRESS OF THE INTERVIEW IS THE CHILD'S FEAR OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF TALKING ABOUT THE SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE RESPONSE OF THE FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEM AND OFFICIAL AGENCIES DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE RESOLUTION OF THE FEAR AND THE CHILD'S COOPERATIVENESS AS A WITNESS. IN PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWING THE CHILD, RELEVANT INFORMATION SHOULD BE OBTAINED FROM PARENTS/GUARDIAN AND, IF APPLICABLE, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CASEWORKER, PYHSICIAN, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTER/RAPE RELIEF COUNSELOR. IN BEGINNING THE INTERVIEW, THE SETTING AND PROCEDURES FOR ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD ARE DESCRIBED. IN OBTAINING THE HISTORY OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT, LANGUAGE USED WITH THE CHILD SHOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO THE CHILD'S LEVEL. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH WITH THE CHILD HIS OR HER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORDS BEING USED. 'WHY' QUESTIONS SHOULD BE AVOIDED, BECAUSE THEY ARE ACCUSATORY AND WILL PUT THE CHILD ON THE DEFENSIVE. FORCE OR COERCION SHOULD NEVER BE EMPLOYED TO OBTAIN ANSWERS. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECT AND SIMPLE, OF AN OPEN-ENDED NATURE THAT WILL ALLOW THE CHILD TO TALK ABOUT THE ASSAULT. WHAT HAPPENED, WHO WAS INVOLVED, WHEN AND WHERE THE ASSAULT OCCURRED, AND ANY KIND OF COERCION USED SHOULD BE DETERMINED THROUGH THE INTERVIEW. METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE CREDIBILITY AND COMPETENCY OF THE CHILD BEING INTERVIEWED ARE ALSO LISTED. STEPS FOR CLOSING THE INTERVIEW ARE DESCRIBED. (RCB)