Introducing The Child Witness - Institute for Child Witness Research and Training

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.

Format	Target Group
Over a period of 5 days From 8.30 am – 4.30pm Methodology includes: - overhead presentations - video material - group work - role-plays - individual exercises Certificate of completion awarded at end	Social Worker Child Care Worker Child Advocates Psychologists Medical Personnel Intermediaries Police Officers Interpreters NGOs working with children

INTRODUCING THE CHILD WITNESS is a general introductory course aimed at all professionals who work with children. The course can also be offered to specialist groups in which case the course content becomes more focussed to the particular discipline

The course has 4 possible combinations:

1. Introducing the Child Witness: General
2. Introducing the Child Witness: Police Officers
3. Introducing the Child Witness: Social Workers
4. Introducing the Child Witness: Intermediaries

 

Course Content: General

Child Development This includes an introduction to the theories of cognitive development and their applicability in the forensic environment. Socio-Emotional Developmen A brief look at the theories of socio-emotional development with special focus on adolescence. Effects of Testifying A study of 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. AD 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

Course Content: Police (specialist topics)

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.

Course Content: Social Workers (specialist topics)

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.