Calgary Child Witness Court Preparation Program
Since January 1992, the Child Witness Court Preparation Program has helped over 1500 child victims and witnesses in the Calgary region to prepare to testify in court. By teaching the children about the courtroom and the court processes, the Program enhances the judicial process and reduces the emotional trauma experienced by children in delivering their testimony in court. There is absolutely no discussion about the children's individual cases since this has the potential to contaminate the children's testimony in court.
Program Cost
The program is offered at no cost to participants.
Program Content
The Program runs primarily as a group format in four sessions, and includes the following core components:
- Parent session;
- Discussion and alleviation of the children's fears of court;
- Relaxation exercises and the roles of courtroom personnel;
- Court process, court rules, and video of children going to court;
- Mock Court - role playing the experience of testifying and cross-examination based on a fictional story like Red Riding Hood;
- Courtroom tour and graduation Individual and booster sessions also play an important role in the Program.
Who are the Participants?
The Child Witness Court Preparation Program serves children in the Calgary area, aged 3 to 17 who are expected to testify in court proceedings. These children are victims or witnesses in court cases often involving sexual abuse, physical abuse and domestic violence.
Who may Refer?
Referrals are primarily received from police, Crown prosecutors, child welfare workers, therapists, teachers, parents and guardians. However, referrals from other sources are also considered. For further information, or to refer a child to the Child Witness Court Preparation Program, please call (403) 289-8385
Program Staff
The Child Witness Court Preparation Program is staffed mainly by volunteers with some part-time, paid personnel. With several experts in the field of child abuse, the staff includes a program director and program coordinator, court preparation facilitators, a legal coordinator, and an administrative consultant. Court preparation facilitators are chosen based upon their knowledge of child abuse and the justice system, and their ability to work with children and groups. To ensure that the Program is run in a professional and accountable manner, facilitators are trained with the standardized, field tested curriculum developed by the Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse.
Sponsors
- The Society wishes to thank the following sponsors whose generous financial support has totally funded the operations of the Child Witness Court Preparation Program:
Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security, Victims Services
International Order of the Daughters of the Empire
Calgary and area Child & Family Services Authority
Calgary Co-op Association
To Register - or for more information - Calgary Child Witness Court Preparation Program
c/o Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse
P.O. Box 42066, Acadia Postal Outlet, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2J 7A6
Contact Alice at:
Phone: (403) 289-8385
info@csicainfo.com
