Guide for Professionals on Child-Friendly and Trauma-Informed Justice Released in All Partner Languages

The CHILD Project – Towards a Child-Friendly Justice – has reached a major milestone with the release of its Guide for Professionals on Forensic Interviewing and Protection of Child Victims of Violence in Criminal Justice Proceedings in all partner languages....

The guide is now available in the languages of all project partner countries, making this important resource accessible to professionals working directly with children in different national contexts.  

The handbook was developed to support professionals involved in criminal justice proceedings in: 

• understanding children’s experiences of violence and its impact; 

• applying trauma-informed approaches; 

• conducting child-friendly forensic interviews; 

• protecting children throughout criminal justice proceedings; and 

• translating child-friendly justice principles into everyday practice. 

By combining scientific evidence, legal frameworks, and practical recommendations, the guide aims to improve the safety, participation, and recovery of child victims of violence. 

 

A practical guide built around six key chapters 

The guide is structured around six chapters covering the essential knowledge and practical tools professionals need to support child victims of violence. Chapter 1 introduces the principles of child-friendly justice and explains the purpose of the guide, highlighting the importance of a rights-based approach centred on dignity, participation, protection, and the best interests of the child. Chapter 2 explores violence against children, including different forms of violence, its dynamics and impact, trauma responses, and barriers children may face when disclosing violence or seeking support. Chapter 3 presents the foundations of a trauma-informed approach, helping professionals understand the effects of trauma and respond in ways that promote safety and prevent further harm. Chapter 4 focuses on the child as an active participant in testimonial procedures, drawing on developmental psychology to explain how children process and communicate experiences. Chapter 5 provides practical guidance on child-friendly and trauma-informed forensic interviewing, supporting professionals in gathering information while protecting children from unnecessary distress and repeated exposure to traumatic experiences. Chapter 6 translates these principles into practice by presenting concrete measures for child protection, multidisciplinary cooperation, and trauma-informed criminal justice proceedings. 

 

What makes this guide unique: trauma-informed practice at its core 

A key feature of the CHILD guide is its strong focus on a trauma-informed approach. Children who experience violence may respond in different ways, and behaviours that appear confusing or uncooperative can often be understood as responses to traumatic experiences. 

The guide supports professionals in recognising trauma reactions, adapting communication, and creating safer environments for children. It promotes approaches that reduce the risk of secondary victimisation and ensure that children are treated with dignity, sensitivity, and respect throughout proceedings. 

A central element of the guide is the prevention of secondary victimisation. This includes measures such as the use of audio-visually recorded forensic interviews as pre-constituted evidence and the promotion of multidisciplinary models such as the Barnahus (Children’s House), where different professionals work together to support children. 

 

From principles to practice: improving safety and well-being 

The Guide for Professionals sets out key principles, standards, and practical measures to support child-friendly and trauma-informed criminal justice proceedings for child victims of violence. It brings together existing evidence, legal frameworks, and promising practices to guide professionals across sectors in responding to children’s needs in a coordinated and effective way. 

The development of this guide was made possible through the cooperation of experts and professionals from diverse fields, including healthcare, child protection, victim support services, law enforcement, the judiciary, and legal practice. Their expertise helped ensure that the handbook is grounded in real-world practice and responds to the challenges professionals face. 

 

Looking ahead: strengthening child-friendly justice across Europe 

While the guide provides a comprehensive framework for practice, further work remains necessary. Future research should increasingly include the perspectives of children themselves, particularly child victims and witnesses of violence, to ensure that justice systems continue to evolve around children’s experiences and needs. 

Further exploration is also needed regarding alternatives and complementary approaches to traditional criminal justice responses. Restorative and transformative justice approaches, in particular, deserve continued research and development to better support victim recovery while maintaining accountability. 

With the release of the Guide for Professionals in all partner languages, the CHILD Project takes another important step towards making justice systems safer, more responsive, and more supportive for children across Europe. 

 

About CHILD Project 

CHILD – Towards a CHILD-friendly legal Order for Fair Justice Provision is an EU-funded initiative aimed at improving the judicial system for child victims and witnesses of violence. The project runs for 24 months and brings together professionals from various sectors to promote structural reforms, better collaboration, and advocacy for child-friendly legal frameworks across the EU. 

https://childfriendlyjustice.eu/#home 

 

Download the Guide 

The Guide for Professionals on Forensic Interviewing and Protection of Child Victims of Violence in Criminal Justice Proceedings is available free of charge in all partner languages. 
All versions of the guide can be accessed and downloaded here: https://www.childfriendlyjustice.eu/