Supporting Child Victims

child witness
We help justice systems support children who have experienced violence and victimization.

A child who is a victim or witness of violence often confronts a system ill-equipped to meet their needs and to treat their symptoms of trauma. Our Bronx Child Trauma Support program works with children ages 3 to 15, most of whom are witnesses in criminal and/or family court cases. The program provides trauma-focused, evidence-based therapy, crisis intervention, and intensive court support services. At the national level, with funding from the federal Office for Victims of Crime, we’ve developed a package of trauma-responsive, developmentally appropriate support materials for child victims and witnesses, their caregivers, and justice system practitioners. We also provide training and technical assistance on effective responses to child abuse and children’s exposure to violence.

Initiatives

  • Child Witness Materials Project

    We’ve developed a first-of-its-kind collection of interactive and educational materials that inform and empower children as they navigate the justice system.

Publications & Digital Media

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News

  • Empowering Child Witnesses and Victims – Part II

    With a series of interactive graphic novels, we help guide and support children navigating the legal system as victims and witnesses. An additional set of guides we worked to create ensure that practitioners have what they need to do the same.

  • Empowering Child Witnesses and Victims – Part I

    Well over 100,000 children have to interact with the legal system each year in the United States, as victims or witnesses to crime. A series of graphic novels we helped to create use storytelling and illustration to empower children through the process.

  • New Translated Materials to Help Young Survivors of Human Trafficking

    July 28, 2022
    Office for Victims of Crime

    These materials were created by the Center for Court Innovation with funding from Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) and are newly translated into African French; Brazilian Portuguese; Chinese (simplified); Spanish; and Vietnamese. These Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials are for use with young survivors of human trafficking, including excerpts of support from individuals with lived experience and information for a reader who might find themselves in a similar situation.

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