A training course aimed at introducing professionals to the dynamics involved when working with children who interface with the criminal justice system, with special emphasis on children who are victims of abuse. The course aims also to provide professionals with the specialised skills required to work effectively with children.
Introducing the Child Witness is a general introductory course aimed at all professionals who work with children. It can also be offered to specialist groups in which case the course content becomes more focussed to the particular discipline. It has 4 possible combinations:
The course content includes the following general topics:
Child Development An introduction to the theories of cognitive development and their applicability in the forensic environment.
Socio-Emotional Development A brief look at the theories of socio-emotional development with special focus on adolescence.
Effects of Testifying The effects which testifying in court has on children
Trauma An overview of the impact of sexual abuse on the child victim, including short-term and long-term impact.
Disclosure An overview of the factors that contribute to delayed and conflicting disclosures of sexual abuse.
Child Communication An introduction to child language and an investigation into the common misunderstandings in child-adult communication in court
Anatomically Detailed Dolls An introduction to anatomically detailed dolls and their use
Cross-examination of the Child Witness A study of the features of cross-examination and their effect on children
Legal Issues Features of the applicable legal system that pertain to children
Court Preparation An introduction to the need for and content of court preparation programmes
Memory A brief introduction to memory strategies and research on children’s ability to remember events
Sex Offender Identifying sex offenders and understanding the patterns they employ when they offend against children
Statement Taking Techniques for taking effective and legally acceptable statements from children
Investigating Child Sexual Abuse Techniques for conducting effective investigations of cases involving child abuse and sexual offences
Interviewing the Sex Offender Techniques for conducting successful interviews with sex offenders
Interviewing the Non-offending Parent Techniques for conducting successful interviews with the non-offending parents in child sexual abuse cases
Child Forensic Interviewing How to conduct successful forensic interviews with children
Use of experts Purpose of expert testimony and appropriate techniques for acting as an expert in court
Writing Court Reports An in-depth look at the contents of court reports
The course runs over a period of 5 days and methodology includes:
A certificate of completion is awarded at the end.