For many children, telling is already a huge emotional risk. They may not be ready for action, reporting, or adult involvement yet. Pushing too quickly can cause them to shut down or regret telling you.
Start by asking what they’re hoping for. You can say, “Right now, do you just want me to listen, or do you want help figuring out next steps?” Let them know you may need to step in if safety is at risk, but that you want to respect their pace whenever possible. Trust grows when children feel some control after feeling powerless.