Navigating Tricky Waters: Understanding and Supporting Children’s Testimony about Experiencing and Witnessing Violence Book Chapter

Goldfarb, D, Chae, H, Shambaugh, L. (2021). Navigating Tricky Waters: Understanding and Supporting Children’s Testimony about Experiencing and Witnessing Violence . 84-109. 10.4324/9780429397806-5

cited authors

  • Goldfarb, D; Chae, H; Shambaugh, L

abstract

  • Children who come into contact with the legal system often find themselves navigating the tricky waters of multiple legal proceedings, many of which have different evidentiary standards, hearing formats, or other legal requirements. In this chapter, we review some of the research relevant to children who testify in legal proceedings, particularly children who testify about traumatic experiences such as abuse or witnessing interpersonal violence. Specifically, we discuss the rates and impact of trauma and the role trauma plays on memory. Next, we highlight some of the work on children’s testimony in the courtroom, including accommodations to help support child witnesses. Finally, we conclude with a review of the current work and suggestions for future research. In so doing, we attempt to highlight the many ways that practitioners and researchers can work to create a system that ameliorates, rather than further exacerbates, the impact of trauma on children.

publication date

  • January 1, 2021

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13

start page

  • 84

end page

  • 109