Therapy for Child Witnesses Prior to a Criminal Trial: Training Implications

• NCJ Number: 190968
• Journal: Child Abuse Review Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: July-August 2001 Pages: 279-285
• Author(s): Melanie Pace
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Great Britain's Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service and the Department of Health have recently published guidance on pretrial therapy, entitled "Provision of Therapy for Child Witnesses Prior to a Criminal Trial. Practice Guidance" (2001); this paper summarizes the main points covered in the guidance and considers their implications for practice and training.

Abstract

One of the key themes of the guidance is that the decision to offer therapy is made following a professional assessment of need and a recommendation that the service will be in the best interests of the child. Further, although the welfare of the child is always paramount, consideration must be given to the impact of therapy on the criminal justice process. The methods of pretrial therapy offered should be balanced with the least likelihood of prejudicing justice. Generally, this means the use of more cognitive behavioral techniques that focus on specific issues rather than therapy that requires reliving/reframing experiences of abuse. Records of therapy must be maintained so they can be produced if required. The prosecution must be informed that a witness has received therapy and should be made aware of anything that occurred in therapy that may have an impact on the criminal justice process. The professional competence of those involved in the assessment and therapeutic processes must be evidenced by specific training and the appropriate qualifications. The guidance also recommends developing local protocols to help ensure the effective cooperation of all agencies involved in this process. As with any new guidance, it is important that all those with a stake in its implementation receive sufficient training to raise the awareness of individual and collective professional responsibilities. This includes the police, judiciary, prosecution, and the statutory and voluntary child care/child mental health agencies. 5 references