This presentation discusses practical approaches for prosecutors and investigators, as non-mental health professionals, to successfully work with child victims during the investigation and prosecution of offenders. This relationship with child victims is critical to obtaining convictions, while protecting and strengthening victims. Child victims often are struggling with the concurrent impacts of traumatic victimization, dysfunctional families, and other disabilities. With a thoughtful approach, many times we can turn their vulnerabilities and unique challenges into strengths for the child victim and for the prosecution of offenders.
Learning Objectives:
Identify methods in which we, as non-mental health professionals, can build a relationships of trust with child victims
Develop steps to elevate a child victim's level of comfort in the courtroom
Employ creative techniques to help jurors relate to child victims
