Kids and Teen Court

Most children who have experienced abuse, including sexual abuse, do not seek justice or forgiveness through legal means. There are many reasons for this, all of them understandable because of the stress and unknown elements of using the law. For those few children who do decide to go through the court system, CPTCSA has a long history and much experience working with individual judges and lawyers to provide services directly to children and their families. In order to share our experience, we have two resources available for use by children, parents, and social workers.

Kids and Teen Court is a one-day program held in a real courtroom with a real judge to prepare children for their day in court. Issues include telling the truth, relaxation, and knowing the people and practices of the court system. Families are invited to the Kids and Teen Court program to meet the needs of young witnesses as stated by research:

1. Education – teach the rules and language of court to both the child and parent
2. Stress management procedures – identify, discuss, and attempt to remedy common court related worries or fears a child witness has. Such as what to do if you have to go to the toilet or if you don’t know what a question means.
3. Improving parental attitudes about court – engaging and working with the parents and serve as a referral resource
   for the child witness and the family intervention for other mental health services.

Kids and Teen Court is supported by several key family court judges with significant sponsorship from the Justice Palma Foundation.

Not all children can go to the successful Kid’s and Teen’s Court Awareness Program. For these children, their social worker or trusted adult can use the individual workbook to prepare children for their day as a witness in court.

Sa Korte, Handa Ako workbook for children to prepare individually together with a supportive adult. Content is based on years of experience working with young witnesses and networking with legal practitioners.

• Introduction for adult supporters
• Chapter 1 – What is a witness?
• Chapter 2 – What is court?
• Chapter 3 – Why do people go to court?
• Chapter 4 – Who are all the people in court?
• Chapter 5 – What happens in court?
• Chapter 6 – What will happen when I have spoken in court?
• Chapter 7 – After the trial
• Chapter 8 – Preparing for court
• Don’t forget!

 

The following pictures are from the actual Kids and Teens Court Awareness Program  with Judge Lorna Chua-Cheng of Regional Trial Court – Branch 168 Marikina City. Judge Chua-Cheng oriented the children on court procedures, court personnel and provided them with tips on how to overcome their fears and anxieties during court trial. (The faces of the kids have been covered for their protection.)