Police-victim interaction

A Guide for Parents and Caregivers 

These materials were created specifically for children and youth in Tribal communities by Native authors and illustrators and are tailored to the needs of young children (ages 2 to 6), school-age children (ages 7 to 12), and teens (ages 13 to 18) who have been the victim and/or witness to a crime and are interacting with Tribal, state, and/or...

A Guide for Practitioners

These materials were created specifically for children and youth in Tribal communities by Native authors and illustrators and are tailored to the needs of young children (ages 2 to 6), school-age children (ages 7 to 12), and teens (ages 13 to 18) who have been the victim and/or witness to a crime and are interacting with Tribal, state, and/or federal justice...

Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides

These materials were created specifically for children and youth in Tribal communities by Native authors and illustrators and are tailored to the needs of young children (ages 2 to 6), school-age children (ages 7 to 12), and teens (ages 13 to 18) who have been the victim and/or witness to a crime and are interacting with Tribal, state, and/or federal justice...

Summary

Maggie Mercury tells the story of a teen who was a witness in a criminal court case.

She hosts a blog where she and her friends talk about what can happen when a young person is the victim or witness in a criminal case.

The story breaks down this complicated issue for teens in Tribal...

Summary

This booklet accompanies Maggie Mercury and describes the jobs of the different grown-ups the reader might meet.

The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.

The book also addresses rights in the criminal legal system.

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Summary

This booklet accompanies Brandon’s Path and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.

The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.

The book also addresses rights in the child welfare system.

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Summary

Brandon’s Path follows the story of a teen whose family is involved in a child welfare case.

His story follows a ‘choose your own adventure’ style where he meets new adults, learns to ask for help, and discovers things he can do to feel better.

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Summary

This booklet accompanies Marvelous Mitch and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.

The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.

The book also addresses rights in the criminal legal system.

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Summary

Marvelous Mitch follows the story of a school-age kid who is a witness in a criminal court case and goes to federal court.

She meets with new adults, like a victim advocate, who ask her questions, teach her how the legal system works, and help her feel better.

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Summary

This booklet accompanies Edgar’s Journey and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.

The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.

The book also addresses rights in the child welfare system.

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Summary

Edgar’s Journey tells the story of a school-age child named Edgar, who has to go to the state courthouse with his grandpa to talk about what is happening in his family.

He meets some new adults, goes to new places, and learns about asking for help and things he can do to feel better.

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Summary

This booklet accompanies Marvis & Rockee and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.

The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.

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Summary

Marvis & Rockee tells the story of a little boy named Marvis who is a witness in a criminal court case.

He and his toy coyote, Rockee, meet with different grown-ups, like advocates and attorneys, who ask him questions about what happened, and share techniques with him to help him cope with how he’s feeling...

Summary

This booklet accompanies Aiyana’s Journey and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.

The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.

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View online or print on an office printer.

Read/Download Aiyana’s Journey...

Summary

Aiyana’s Journey tells the story of what happens to a little girl named Aiyana after social workers visit her home on the reservation because her mom needs help taking care of her.

She meets some new grownups, goes to some new places, and learns about things she can do to feel better. Throughout the story, Aiyana...

Resources for Use With Children and Youth in Tribal Communities

Children and youth in Tribal communities who are victims and witnesses encounter unique challenges while navigating the justice system. Jurisdictional conflicts and variation in Tribal justice system structure and processes can be confusing and overwhelming for child victims and witnesses and their families.

Many child victims and witnesses have endured multiple forms of violence and victimization over...

Summary

What Is Your Job? In Family or Dependency Court is a picture book in the Brave Maya series that explains the different roles of people that a child may interact with or hear about throughout their child welfare cases and in family or dependency court. It includes information on the role of the child in court and...

A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

These materials were designed for youth aged 12−18 who have experienced sex and labor trafficking, to help inform and empower them as they navigate through the justice system.

They were created with the input of those with similar lived experiences, and expert practitioners working in the anti-trafficking field.

While the materials are intended to be relatable to the broadest...

Summary

Who Is Everybody? In Family or Dependency Court is a brief guide in the I Am Isabella series that explains the different roles of people that a child may hear of or interact with throughout their child welfare case and in family or dependency court.

It includes practical tips for preparing for court and information on some...

Summary

Sergio’s Story describes the experience of a young boy who was a victim of labor trafficking and is part of a federal case.  

The story follows Sergio as he shares his experiences with a trusted adult, meets with a victim advocate in the prosecutor’s office who supported him as he navigated the criminal legal system, and receives support...

Family and Dependency Court Resources

Use these materials with children and youth who may have involvement with family and dependency court as the victim of or witness to a crime. The materials teach children about how the child welfare system works, what their rights are, and how they can cope with the difficult feelings they might have during the process.

Character booklets about court roles...

A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials includes materials for 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. For each age group, there are materials about the criminal justice system and the child welfare system, so you can choose the materials that will be...

Summary

There’s More To Me is a graphic novel that tells the stories of five different youth—Alex, Jamal, Jesse, Amy, and Ari. Each character has their own experience as a victim or witness in a criminal case.

To illustrate the common occurrences in criminal cases in which youth are victims or witnesses, the stories showcase the characters interacting with victim...

Summary

Brave Oscar tells the story of what happens to a little boy named Oscar after his father is arrested.

To illustrate the common occurrences in criminal cases in which children are victims or witnesses, the story follows Oscar as he meets with a victim advocate and receives counseling, goes to court and testifies (this section is optional and may...