What is it.
Child disclosure is the cornerstone of child abuse cases. This report outlines key development considerations for collecting evidence from children including executive functioning skills, language development, memory processes and impact of stress on memory, and how they shape the quality of a disclosure. It examines common challenges children face when providing evidence and identifies the unique role of CYACs to improving their experiences within the justice system.
How can it help me?
CYACs play a critical role helping children, youth and their families navigate complex systems. Investigators must use approaches that reflect children’s developmental and cognitive abilities to gather accurate and reliable information. These efforts must also engage legal professionals as key members of the multidisciplinary team, ensuring they recognize how these approaches shape outcomes within the justice system.
