Child Witness Materials Project
To support child victims, we've developed a first-of-its-kind collection of interactive and educational materials to guide children through how the justice system works and how to cope with the difficult feelings they might have.
Designed to be trauma-informed and age-appropriate, our illustrated booklets and graphic novels guide children through how the justice system works, what their rights are, the roles of the different practitioners they’ll meet, and how they can cope with the difficult feelings they might have. For children who have to testify, there are also tips to help them prepare for going to court.
Funded by the U.S. Office for Victims of Crime, this package of interactive materials support children, teenagers, their caregivers, and the justice-system practitioners who work with them in criminal and civil cases in state, federal, and tribal court settings. The ultimate aim is to allow child victims and witnesses to feel both more informed and empowered.
With input from national experts from a variety of disciplines, and specifically created for children in three different age groups (ages 2–6, 7–12, and 13–18), there are materials about the criminal legal system and the child welfare system. Materials are available in 5 languages along with other specialized trafficking materials.
If you are interested in learning more about this project, please contact us through our Expert Assistance team.
View the Materials →
PODCASTS & AUDIO
Child Witness Materials Podcast →
Kathryn Ford, the Center’s Director of Child Witness Initiatives, speaks with Geri Wisner, a prosecutor from Oklahoma, and Jennifer Thompson, a victim advocate and counselor from Georgia, about how they have been using the Office for Victims of Crime's Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials to inform and empower children as they interact with the justice system.
Life After Trafficking with Audrey Morrissey →
In this podcast episode, Melanie Thompson is joined by Audrey Morrissey, associate director of My Life, My Choice Boston, to speak on their experiences of transitioning once a case has closed and the potential challenges and feelings that youth may experience. They also discuss resources to help with this transition, strategies for navigating relationships within systems, and the importance of providing youth with consistent and stable relationships.
Life After Trafficking with Nikki Bell →
Together, Nikki Bell, survivor activist and the founder of Living in Freedom Together, and Melanie Thompson talk about trust in the context of both the criminal legal and child welfare systems. They examine some of the challenges around privacy and confidentiality and trusting those who work in the system while also outlining ways young people can become confident in their own voice and power.
Life After Trafficking with Cristian Eduardo →
Cristian Eduardo, survivor speaker and student, joins Melanie Thompson to discuss building community and creating opportunities for the future. Cristian brings his perspective on establishing relationships with supportive people, practical advice for young people on establishing boundaries and learning how to trust others, and thinking about future goals.
WEBINARS & VIDEO
Learn about materials that support children and youth, ages 2–18, as they navigate the justice system. Panelists discuss how OVC's Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials can help children and youth in both criminal and family court settings understand the justice system, their rights, and the roles of different practitioners that they may encounter.
In this webinar, Kathryn Ford, Director of Child Witness Initiatives at the Center for Court Innovation, and Jonathan Kurland, an Attorney-Advisor at AEquitas, discuss how child victims and witnesses experience the criminal legal system. They address strategies for supporting child victims and witnesses as they navigate the process, including by utilizing the child witness support materials created by the Center for Court Innovation and its partners.