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Children as Witnesses

Helping Young People Give Their Evidence in Court, Helping Courts Hear the Evidence of Children

by Pamela Hurley, Karen Scarth & Lynda Stevens (2002)

This is a series of five handbooks for police investigators, Crown Attorneys, parents, teachers and specialized court preparation providers. These handbooks discuss the challenges faced by child witnesses, best practice guidelines, a model court preparation protocol, helpful forms, legal factors in Canada, and the impact of trauma on children. Development of the manuals was funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario. ~ $25.00 each or $100.00 for the set of 5.

Please note that laws referenced in this manuals are from prior to the reforms prompted by Bill C-2 in 2006. For information on current Canadian laws, see the 2007 training resource called A Full and Candid Account: Using Special Accommodations and Testimonial Aids to Facilitate the Testimony of Children.

Helping Young People Give Their Evidence in Court, Helping Courts Hear the Evidence of Children: Child Witness Court Preparation (2002)

Everything you need to know as a professional who prepares children and adolescents to testify in court. Includes best practice guidelines, overview of the referral and intake process, how to assess court-related fears and anxieties, instruction on the components of court preparation, assessing and advocating for the use of testimonials aids, and understanding the impact of trauma on children and adolescents and related implications for their experiences as witnesses. 52 p.

Helping Young People Give Their Evidence in Court, Helping Courts Hear the Evidence of Children: Crown Attorneys, When a Child is a Witness (2002)

A manual for Crowns who prosecute cases where children and adolescents may be witnesses. Material will aid prosecutors as they prepare young people to give a full and candid account of their evidence. Topics include good practice guidelines, meeting and interviewing young witnesses, information sharing, testimonial aids, and understanding the impact of trauma on children and adolescents and related implications for their experiences as witnesses. 43 p.

Helping Young People Give Their Evidence in Court, Helping Courts Hear the Evidence of Children: Police Investigators, When the Witness of a Child (2002)

A manual for police officers who investigate crimes where children and young are victims or witnesses who may have to testify in court. Topics addressed include good practice guidelines, interviewing, information sharing, the components of court preparation, testimonial aids, and the impact of trauma on child victims and witnesses. 42 p.

Helping Young People Give Their Evidence in Court, Helping Courts Hear the Evidence of Children: Parents, When Your Child is a Witness (2002)

Parents and guardians are a child's primary source of support during the difficult time after a crime or its disclosure. This manual helps parents support and understand their children in the months leading up to a resolution through court. They will learn what to expect and get guidance on patterns of behaviour or emotions that may not be typical for the child but are commonly seen in traumatized children facing the prospect of testifying in court. Strategies to help children cope are offered. 29 p.

Helping Young People Give Their Evidence in Court, Helping Courts Hear the Evidence of Children: Teachers, When a Student is a Witness (2002)

This manual is for educators with students who are victims or witnesses in criminal court proceedings. Topics addressed include stressful aspects of the criminal process for children, responding to student disclosures, safety issues, how a student might be affected by what happened, supporting a student who is expected to testify, and understanding the impact of trauma on children and adolescents. Guidance is also offered to the educator who is himself or herself called upon to testify. 31 p.

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