Child Victim Advocate

When Child is a Witness

The Nobody's Children Foundation implemented the Child Victim Advocate programme since December 2005. The goal of the programme is to improve the situation of children who have been victimized and who participate in legal procedures, such as interviews and court trials. The programme is targeted at child victims' parents and caregivers, who are provided with information on relevant legal regulations, the scope of competence of the police, the prosecutor, and the court, as well as interviewing procedures. They may also choose to be accompanied by the advocate in the courtroom and to receive psychological support for their children. The programme assumes that child victims and their families/caregivers should be supported throughout the legal process - from the moment of the case being reported to the Foundation, through the trial and psychological treatment, to the resolution of the crisis situation. Each case handled within the programme is documented.

 

Another way to support crime victims and help them in the effective execution of their rights is through voluntary representatives and accompanying persons participating in criminal and civil procedures. This initiative reflects a practical application of existing regulations of the procedural law, which have been scarcely practiced in Poland. It ensures the equality of parties in legal procedures, especially when the victim does not have his/her own legal representative. The programme focuses on cases in which children and youth are victims of physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse, child trafficking etc. As a voluntary representative, the Foundation has the right to speak up during the trial, to make written statements, and to be present in the court room. Volunteers accompany the Foundation's clients in the court room. The Foundation's experience shows that their presence is important for the victims and supports them psychologically.

 

Child Victim Advocate

Within the frames of the programme the Nobody's Children Foundation published the brochure "Child Victim Advocate. Standards of the program's realization". The publication presents general concept and implementation of the program in Warsaw during the first year of its activity and therefore facilitates its implementation by other organizations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helpline

Also information brochures and leaflets were distributed among police stations, prosecutor's offices, and family courts. A telephone helpline was launched, providing information about victims' rights. Trained helpline consultants help the callers to determine what kind of assistance is needed by the child and his/her parent or caregiver.

 

 

 

In 2006 the programme was joined by 3 partner organizations from three Polish towns (Szczecin, Grudziądz, Białystok). These organizations will conduct the child advocate programme in their respective areas. Training sessions were organized for employees and volunteers of partner organizations who are to implement the programme in their towns.

 

Below you can download the publication "Child Victim Advocate. Standards of the program's realization" (in polish) and the brochure "When Child is a Witness in Court" (in polish).

Attachment	Size
opiekun dziecka - ofiary przestępstwa.pdf	439.5 KB
gdy dziecko jest świadkiem w sądzie.pdf	595.83 KB