• Understand that it takes time to develop a relationship of trust. Do not expect victims or witnesses to go into detail about their experience immediately or at all. It might take more than one interview for a person to feel comfortable enough to share details about the events. It takes time and trust to develop the establishment of facts of the situation. • Leave interviewing the victim or witness to professionals if the risk of re-traumatization is high.24 • Acknowledge the victim’s or witness’ pain or trauma. Demonstrate empathy and concern so that the person involved feels (psychologically and physically) safe. • Do not take strong reactions personally. Manage one’s own emotional responses throughout the process.25 Effects of Trauma on Behavior The effects of trauma can influence a victim’s or witness’ behavior during an information-gathering exercise such as an interview. Signs of trauma are: • Depression • (Linear) memory loss • Lack of focus and concentration problems • Emotional reactivity • Multiple versions of a story26 • Symptoms of acute stress, such as: o Hyperventilation o Being jumpy and on edge o Feeling shocked or numb o Recurring nightmares, flashbacks or intrusive memories of the events o Sleeping problems o Deliberate avoidance of thoughts or activities that remind of the events that have occurred 24 Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center, Human Trafficking Task Force E-Guide, 5.3. 25 Trauma Center, Project REACH, Utilizing, Trauma-Informed Approaches to Trafficking-related Work, 2014, available at http://www.traumacenter.org/resources/H-O%20TraumaInformed%20Case%20Study_final_2.pdf. 26 Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center, Human Trafficking Task Force E-Guide, 5.3. 33