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Children as Witnesses: Conference Proceedings

NCJ Number
134487
Editor(s)
J Vernon
Date Published
1991
Length
251 pages
Annotation
This report presents papers and discussion-group content from a seminar on the child witness, held in Australia on May 3-5, 1988.
Abstract
Two papers on the obtaining of evidence from child witnesses discuss the legal aspects of using child witnesses and the police perspective on the securing of evidence from child witnesses. Discussion groups that focused on the obtaining of evidence from child witnesses consider the use of aids with the child witness, the value of a joint professional approach with the child witness, the use of protective behaviors when dealing with child witnesses, and protocols after the disclosure of child abuse. Two papers that addressed the topic of the "Child in Court" considered the reliability and credibility of child witnesses and the interrogation of children under the mandate of the right to remain silent. Discussion groups on this topic focused on the preparation of the child witness, the sensitization of the court players to the protection of the child, legal aspects of the child in court, and the use of clinical evidence. Other papers and discussion groups dealt with the general topics of the court hearing, rules of evidence, the child witness in the family court, and the effects on children and their families of participation in the criminal justice system. Nine recommendations were composed as a consensus of seminar participants. These recommendations aim at protecting the child witness from undue psychological distress from the court process while facilitating fair and effective testimony from the child witness. 18 references and subject index