THE COURT PREPARATION PROGRAMME

The Center offers individual and group sessions in court preparation for the child witness, other witnesses in the same case, as well as the parents.

Court preparation is offered in the following ways:

Individual sessions, tailored for the individual needs of children and youth.
Group sessions: witnesses attend a group for 4 consecutive weeks
Parent court preparation groups: individual or group sessions

COURT PREPARATION PROGRAMME INCLUDES:

A visit to the court and mock court role - play
My job as a witness
The various role-players in the court
Importance of oath taking and telling the truth
The special courtroom / the formal court room
After court

Children should be heard, not hurt . . .

Every child has the right to be treated with respect during his or her involvement in the criminal justice system.

Children should feel safe and protected in the court room.
The Center aims to provide a safe opportunity to learn about court procedure and discuss any fears children may have about giving evidence.

The main aims are:

To educate children about court procedure and their role in the judicial system
To improve the child's ability to testify in court.
To increase the child's understanding of his role in the legal procedure.
To reduce secondary trauma by the legal system.

THE COURT SUPPORT PROGRAM

Amidst the many difficulties children encounter in the criminal justice system, the child has to face this process alone and sometimes unsupported.

The Child Witness center has trained Witness Supporters who provides emotional support on the day of the court case.

Role of Witness Supporters:

Show the child around the court room and familiarize the child with the court lay-out and environment
Inform the child about court procedure
Help the child to relax and ensure the child is not alone
Debrief the child and family after they gave evidence

All Witness Supporters are trained in the area of child abuse and the criminal procedure.

Children often wait long before they are called to give evidence in court.
Sometimes the case are remanded several times before finally testify.

The Child Witness Center offers a place where children can relax, play and enjoy refreshments while waiting to be called upon to testify.

" RIGHT 4 ME " COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMME

The Center aims to create awareness of children's rights in the community.
Witness Supporters presents awareness talks on the rights of children during special events such as Child Protection week and Children's day.

TRAINING COURSES

The Center offers the following training courses:

Witness Supporters: court preparation & the legal system
Intermediaries: working as an Intermediary in court
Social workers: Expert witnessing in court and forensic interviewing
Social workers: Assessing witnesses for court
Professionals: The management of child sexual abuse

The child friendly court room

The child friendly court room Because children experience difficulties with testifying in court, certain accommodations have been made for them.

Section 170A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51of 1977, provides that children can, in certain circumstances, testify from a special court room.

This section provides that where a child will suffer undue mental stress or suffering as a result of testifying in court, the court may appoint an Intermediary and allow that child to testify from a room other than the court room.

Video camera's mounted on the wall's The special court room has been arranged and equipped with comfort toys to put young witnesses at ease.

A video camera is mounted on the wall and videotapes both the child and Intermediary when the child is giving evidence.
The child's answers are captured on the live video-link and relayed to the court room. The court room itself is equipped with a television monitor through which the court role players are able to view the child and Intermediary.

Please feel free to Contact Us for more information.

Our Services

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE CHILD WITNESS CENTER

The Center offers the following services to child witnesses and families:

Court preparation program
Court support program
Community awareness: "Right 4 me" program
Training courses

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