Children are some of the most vulnerable members of society and they are frequently victims of, or witnesses to, violence and abuse. As a result, children are often required to encounter and navigate the justice system. These systems can be intimidating, confusing, and re-traumatizing for adults, let alone for children.
Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials is intended to support children and youth during their involvement with the justice system.
Based on the input of national experts, these materials teach children—
- how the justice system works,
- what their rights are,
- the roles of the different practitioners they’ll meet, and
- how they can cope with the difficult feelings they might have.
For children who have to testify, there are also tips to help them prepare for going to family and dependency court and criminal court.
These materials were specifically designed for children in three different age groups: young children ages 2 to 6 years old, school-age children ages 7 to 12 years old, and youth ages 13 to 18 years old.
In each of the illustrated narratives, child and youth characters explain how the justice system works in a child-friendly and developmentally appropriate way.
An accompanying Guide for Practitioners and a Guide for Parents and Caregivers provide additional information on how to use the materials, as well as tips for supporting child victims and witnesses.
View the Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials to learn more.
This product was created by the Center for Court Innovation with funding from OVC.