Towards a Child-Friendly Approach

in the Justice System~ Training of Legal & Clinical

Personnel ~

Pamela HurleyMaking Children’s Rights Work

Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Principles• Every child is unique• Recognition of individual

needs and circumstances• Best interests of the child are

primary• Guidelines on Justice for Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Implementation• Training and education on the

guidelines in order to deal sensitively and effectively with child victims and witnesses

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Children’s Mental Health

Child Protection

Justice System

Child Victims & Witnesses of Crime

Children & Youth under age of 18

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

What we need to know…

• Interviewing and assessment techniquesSpecial measures and techniques to assist children in the justice process

• Methods to protect and present evidence

• Guidelines on Justice for Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW…

• IMPACT OF TRAUMA• DYNAMICS OF VICTIMIZATION AND

ABUSE• CHILD DEVELOPMENT • HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH

CHILDREN

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

JUSTICE SYSTEM STRESSORS

FACING THE ACCUSEDCROSS EXAMINATIONPUBLIC EXPOSURECOMPLEX PROCEDURESLENGTH OF TIME IN SYSTEMANTICIPATORY ANXIETYINTIMIDATION

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Impact of Trauma• Common post-traumatic symptoms

include:• Nightmares and sleep problems• Mood cycles of depression, anger, anxiety• Avoidance of reminders of the trauma• Intrusive thoughts and flashbacks• Problems with concentration and memory• Feelings of detachment from others• Flattened affect

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

The traumatized child victim or witness

The justice system requires the child to:

• Recall the traumatic event• Recount the details • Respond to questions about

the trauma

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Interdisciplinary cooperation

• Familiarization with services • Effective channels of

communication for referral and information sharing

• Creative, flexible, adaptable approach

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Vicarious trauma and burnout

• Strategies:– Prevention– Professional– Personal

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004

Implementation• Access to training and

information• Attitude• Evaluation

Pamela Hurley - Making Children's Rights Work - Montreal, November 18-20, 2004