By Catherine Sherrod | Project Manager, Hagar USA
Highlights
Key Research Findings and why your support is so important.
"The police extorted us, demanding money before they worked.”
A System Just for Children highlights police treatment of child victims and witnesses. While children generally felt the police behaved ‘normally’ toward them, 10 respondents said they were treated disrespectfully or were mocked or ignored by the authorities. In 11% of cases, the child met the perpetrator at the police station and 20% of respondents reported paying money to police before the case moved forward.
The Courtroom Experience
The study found that the court process was rarely child friendly. Strangers were often present in the court room and in one instance, media representatives were in attendance during the trial. Children often had to sit through other cases, sometimes being exposed to violent crimes. No participant reported seeing or using a child-friendly waiting room.
“Being in the same room is too close. I was afraid immediately when I saw the perpetrator.”
Nearly every child interviewed found themselves exposed to the perpetrator on the way to or in the courtroom. In most cases the child was two or three meters from the perpetrator during the hearing and in some cases, even travelled to the court house in the same vehicle.
“I do not know what is happening in my case”
Many children were given little information about what was happening in their case and 10% of the children interviewed did not know clearly if their case was finished or not. It was rare for children or their guardians to get copies of their statements or any other documentation relating to the case.
Demeanour of Judges and Lawyers
While social service and legal aid staff largely agree that judges’ demeanour towards children in court has improved over the years, there is still room for improvement. The court environment remains frightening for children and in some cases, the judge asked inappropriate questions or laughed at the victim, particularly if the witness was an older girl or boy. Defence lawyers sometimes acted inappropriately, including trying to confuse, trick or intimidate child witnesses. Often, it was the child’s lawyer, not the judge, who requested such behaviour stop.
“I am still fearful that the man’s relatives will take revenge on me for sending him to jail.”
The research demonstrates the safety concerns children and their representatives have after the trial. There were apprehensions about whether prison sentences would be served and when the perpetrator would appear in the community again. Court authorities provided no comment about this and there seemed to be no clear responsibilities for child victim or witness safety during or post-trial.
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