Abstract Guardians ad Litem (GALs) are uniquely situated to support children's best interest in foster care. In Florida, GALs are volunteers drawn from the community who are mandated by the court to advocate for children but are not employed by the state or a private child welfare agency. GALs conduct home visits, provide recommendations supporting the child's best interest in court, and navigate relationships with the children they serve, their caseworkers, and other service providers. Despite the pertinent role child advocates play, there are several gaps in understanding their experiences or contributions to the child welfare system, particularly how GALs perceive and enact their work. The purpose of this research was to analyze GALs' perspectives of what it is like to work with youth who are in the foster care system in their own words to help enhance these relationships for GALs and youth in care. As a part of a larger qualitative study, this secondary analysis consisted of 555 GALs in the state of Florida who participated in an online survey. Inductive thematic analysis was used by two independent coders to elicit themes from the responses. Three overarching themes that emerged are as follows: (1) a multifaceted and dynamic sense of responsibility for children that we refer to as “stewardship”; (2) challenges to interacting and connecting with youth; and (3) the importance of teamwork or collaboration. Serving as a GAL is perceived by respondents as a challenging but rewarding endeavor that involves emotional investment, relationship management, and long‐term commitments. Implications for future research, practice, training, and program administration are discussed for supporting the work of GALs within the child welfare system, as well as the well‐being of children.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to understand how juvenile probation officers (JPOs) fulfill the “care” and “control” functions of their job when supervising a potentially vulnerable group of young people: pregnant and parenting teens. The results, derived from surveys administered to JPOs in a large county in Texas, indicate that many JPOs have pregnant and parenting teens on their caseloads. In working with these youth, the average JPO in this sample felt as if they got to know these youth quite well and were able to offer them a variety of services. They also largely handled violations of probation similarly for this group. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Abstract Child abuse is a pervasive form of gender‐based violence that inflicts lasting trauma on its victims, their families, and their communities. Participation in the criminal legal system can exacerbate this trauma, particularly for children and youth experiencing intersecting and systemic inequalities. Trauma‐informed practices have emerged as a framework for various systems to recognize the effects of trauma and adapt interactions to promote healing and reduce re‐traumatization. This raises an overarching question of what the elements of a trauma‐informed approach to child abuse in the criminal legal system are. This article synthesizes the state of the literature and current practices as they relate to trauma‐informed approaches for children and youth victimized by child abuse who are engaged with the criminal legal system, focusing on the Canadian legal and policy context. We summarize the impact of legal system involvement for these children and youth and explore how trauma‐informed approaches are conceptualized within the criminal legal system, including restorative and transformative justice approaches. We also identify core elements of trauma‐informed approaches to the legal process in child abuse cases and the associated policy and practice implications for the criminal legal system. Lastly, we identify gaps in the literature and outline future directions and recommendations for research to expand knowledge and reduce system‐induced trauma for these vulnerable young people.

Abstract Military‐connected survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVSAS) encounter unique challenges that exacerbate trauma experiences as they navigate various support systems, including civilian and military court systems. Jurisdictional mazes, the stigma surrounding trauma‐related conditions, and limitations and confusion on the enforcement of protective orders create significant barriers to accessing court systems and, ultimately, legal recourse. This article explores three priority areas for all criminal justice personnel to consider when working with military‐connected survivors: unique barriers for military‐connected survivors in court systems; PTSD stigma and the misuse of trauma in legal proceedings; and recommendations for education, policy reform, and survivor‐centered approaches. Additionally, this article presents key insights from NOVA's Veteran Treatment Court (VTC) report (National Organization for Victim Advocacy, 2025) and listening sessions, illustrating how a deeper understanding of military‐connected survivors' needs can enhance collaboration and improve services.

Abstract An additional form of family violence that frequently is associated with juvenile and intimate partner violence and sexual assault is animal cruelty. While this dynamic is now well researched among civilian populations, it has not as yet been widely addressed in active and retired military communities where unique factors affecting service members, veterans, and their families may exacerbate the risks of interpersonal and interspecies violence. This article describes both the beneficial aspects of human–animal bonds and the adverse impacts of animal abuse among civilian, active, and veteran military service members and their families. It notes the U.S. military's limited responses to acts of animal cruelty and encourages military court judges, Family Advocacy Program centers, military veterinarians, and other stakeholders to gain more insights into both the beneficial aspects of human–animal bonds and the adverse impacts of animal abuse as a potential indicator and predictor of violence against humans. Increased awareness of the link between animal abuse and human violence can be relevant in preventing and responding to intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, and problematic juvenile behaviors in both civilian and military‐connected families.

Abstract Military installations function as complex jurisdictional enclaves where service members' children intermingle with civilian youth, creating a compelling national security interest in clearly defined authority over juvenile justice. This article, an excerpt of a larger corpus of research regarding jurisdictional transfers at military installations, examines the historical development and current challenges of establishing concurrent jurisdiction over juvenile matters on military installations, analyzing the unique classification of juvenile law and its impact on jurisdictional frameworks. Through analysis of federal and state legislation, court decisions, and practical implementation across all 50 states, this research identifies significant gaps in current juvenile justice frameworks on military installations. These ambiguities can result in juvenile cases being dismissed from state courts, even in states with concurrent jurisdiction over criminal matters. The article provides a model framework for establishing comprehensive concurrent juvenile jurisdiction, including specific recommendations for state legislative reform. Key elements include explicit inclusion of juvenile matters in jurisdictional statutes, clear definition of status offenses, precise description of jurisdictional boundaries, and authorization of intergovernmental agreements. This research contributes to ongoing Department of Defense efforts to remove barriers to juvenile justice on military installations while ensuring young people have access to appropriate rehabilitative services through state juvenile justice systems.