NCJ Number
144397
Date Published
1991
Length
122 pages
Annotation
This is the manual used by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office to recruit and train volunteers to accompany child victims and their guardians during court proceedings.
Abstract
Philadelphia's Volunteer Court Accompaniment Program is designed to provide support, information, and advocacy for child victims of physical and sexual abuse as they participate in case processing. The manual is divided into the following sections: recruitment, selection, training, training materials, role play, policies and procedures, inservice training, and program management. Each section details the procedures used in the program. There are samples of recruitment efforts, applicant screening techniques, and program management information. The orientation training in its entirety is provided. Role play scripts are provided for interactions between a volunteer and an adolescent, a nonsupportive mom, and a supportive mom. The statement on policies and procedures addresses the volunteer's role, objectivity, responsibility to disclose information pertinent to the case, confidentiality, professionalism, supervision, training and development, and nondiscrimination.