The Shield in the Courtroom: Preparing Child Witnesses for Testimony
A child’s testimony is often pivotal, yet many receive little preparation or support. Led by a former prosecutor, this workshop offers trauma-informed, age-appropriate strategies for trial prep, working with reluctant witnesses, securing accommodations, and strengthening testimony without putting the case on the child.
Suggested Audience: Prosecutors and others conducting witness preparation
Full Description: A child’s testimony is a critical aspect of child abuse prosecution, yet too often children endure trial without even the preparation that adult participants receive, let alone the support that child victims need and deserve. This workshop, led by a former prosecutor, provides trauma‑informed, age‑appropriate strategies for trial preparation, including pretrial courtroom accommodation motions, methods for working with reluctant witnesses before and during trial, and techniques to strengthen testimony without placing the weight of the case on the child. Using real case examples, participants will learn practical approaches to equip children for the courtroom and secure justice at trial.
Learning Objectives:
Apply trauma‑informed, age‑specific techniques to prepare child victims for testimony.
Incorporate pretrial courtroom accommodation motions and related strategies to proactively support child witnesses and enhance their testimony.
Develop strategies for preparing and supporting fearful, reluctant, or recanting child witnesses before and during trial.
Speaker(s): Robert Peters