Preparing Children for Court: An Interdisciplinary View

Abstract

Increased awareness of child abuse and neglect has been associated with an increase in focus on children as witnesses in court proceedings. Research suggests that although the experience of participating in the legal system is not inherently traumatic, it is often stressful for the child witness. This article discusses stressful influences on child witnesses and practices designed to decrease the likelihood of emotional distress and increase the child's ability to provide credible testimony. In light of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the response to childhood victimization, this article addresses the roles of and links between mental health and legal professionals working with child witnesses. The concepts discussed in this article apply generally to civil, criminal, family law, and dependency cases and to cases tried before a jury and to a judge alone. It is the authors' belief that the concepts discussed here are generally equally applicable in any case in which a child is a witness.