Practitioner Guides

Supplementary Resources to the Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials

This package of materials was specifically designed for practitioners working with child victims and witnesses. They were created with the input of subject matter experts and frontline practitioners from diverse professional roles who have expertise in supporting children who have experienced violence and victimization. These materials were funded by the U.S. Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and are supplementary to OVC’s Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials.

The practitioner materials are comprised of several brief guides covering a range of topics, including working with children who have experienced trauma, strategies for effectively communicating with children and preparing them for court, and legal terms and processes explained in child-friendly language.

This glossary defines common criminal legal terms in child-friendly language.

This glossary defines common criminal legal terms in child-friendly language. 

This glossary defines common child welfare terms in child-friendly language.

This glossary defines common child welfare terms in child-friendly language.

This guide provides a series of tips for preparing and supporting children who may need to testify in court. It includes a separate checklist that can be provided to children and young people.

This guide provides a series of tips for preparing and supporting children who may need to testify in court. It includes a separate checklist that can be provided to children and young people. 

This guide outlines the various stages of child development and suggests strategies for practitioners to enhance communication with children during each developmental stage.

This guide outlines the various stages of child development and suggests strategies for practitioners to enhance communication with children during each developmental stage. 

This guide provides an overview of the needs and experiences of young trafficking survivors interacting with the criminal legal system. It also outlines best practices when working with young survivors.

This guide provides an overview of the needs and experiences of young trafficking survivors interacting with the criminal legal system. It also outlines best practices when working with young survivors.

This chart outlines the stages and potential outcomes of a criminal case in child-friendly language. 

This chart outlines the stages and potential outcomes of a criminal case in child-friendly language. 

This glossary defines common child welfare terms in child-friendly language.

This chart defines common child welfare terms in child-friendly language.

This document summarizes common trauma responses in children and offers strategies for working with children affected by trauma. 

This document summarizes common trauma responses in children and offers strategies for working with children affected by trauma. 

Targeted to non-Native justice system practitioners, this guide provides an overview of important considerations and effective strategies for working with Native children and families.

Targeted to non-Native justice system practitioners, this guide provides an overview of important considerations and effective strategies for working with Native children and families.  

This document summarizes the importance of working with caregivers and some effective approaches for caregiver engagement and support. 

This document summarizes the importance of working with caregivers and some effective approaches for caregiver engagement and support. 

This project was supported by Grant # 2018-V3-GX-K069 awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

To access training, technical assistance, and other resources: 

Visit:

Supporting Child Victims

Child Witness Materials Project

Email: dvinfo@innovatingjustice.org