102 Protocols case the child is a deaf-mute, the services of an interpreter or expert in sign language clearly understood by the said child shall be necessary; k. Under any situation, the investigating officer shall ensure the protection of the right to privacy of the child. There should be privacy when interviewing a child to enable him/her to be open so as not to hinder the ascertainment of truth; l. Building rapport with the child may take time. Hence, it is very important for the investigating officer to be patient with children. Never force the child to share hers story when the latter is not ready to participate in the process of investigation; m. The investigating officer shall respect the child’s personality; and therefore shall treat the child as a person of worth and dignity; n. Treat the child with consideration. In no case should deceit, false promises, intimidation, threat, or harsh treatment be employed against the child during the investigation process; and Post-Interview o. In the CHR response continuum for the child-victim, any time during the evaluation, investigation, resolution and monitoring stage, the CHR officer concerned handling the case can refer the child to a specialized agency, institution or organization for a specific and immediate intervention or service that the CHR cannot provide and if such referral be for the best interest of the child. p. Should a child victim’s safety and security is at risk, in danger, or threatened with further violations, the investigating officer shall immediately coordinate with the Local Social Welfare & Development Officer (LSWDO), the PNP, and barangay officials for the conduct of rescue operation of the said child, as provided in the “Protocol for Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation.” (The Protocol provides how different government agencies and their partners can either work independently or in coordination with each other. It also provides guidelines to be observed when assisting a victim of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation.) q. The investigating officer should ensure that information gathered involving a child victim shall be treated with confidentiality. Even media shall not be allowed to interview or take the child’s photo, in accordance with the “Guide for Media Practitioners in the Reportage and Coverage of Cases Involving Children.” The investigating officer shall proceed with the investigation of the alleged violation, abuse or exploitation regardless of an execution of an affidavit of desistance by the child victim/the parents/guardian. Human rights violations against children are not subject to compromise or amicable settlement. When the Child is In Conflict With Law Pre-Interview a. The investigating officer, before conducting the interview of a child in conflict with the law, shall also inform said child and his/her parents or guardian of the child’s right to remain silent and to counsel, which shall be done in a language spoken and clearly understood by the child and the parents or guardian; b. Should the Investigating officer determine at any stage of the child’s interview that she needs proper intervention or diversion programs as required under R.A. 9344 as amended by R.A. 10630, he/she should immediately refer the child to the appropriate agency, institution or organization. Interview Proper In investigating and interviewing children in conflict with the law, the CHR investigating officer handling the investigation or interview shall also observe the following guidelines: c. All interviews of a child in conflict with the law, CHR Gender Ombud Guidelines