Haruv institute - Leading Principles in Trauma-Informed Child Representation

and consistent relationship that sees the child as a subject has tremendous potential for correcting the feeling of objectification and helping the child see themself as a subject. Therefore, behave with respect, patience, and understanding in order to present the child with a model of a healthy relationship with an adult figure. – Idea for practice: Avoid authoritarian behavior or information overload. Behave and respond consistently to provide a sense of security. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the child’s feelings and thoughts and avoid indications of impatience or being pressured for time (for example, looking at the clock or interrupting in the middle of things). • Providing the child with clear information about the legal process: Traumatic life experiences and legal proceedings have significant potential to open a chasm between the familiar past and the uncertain future. It is important to remember that even when children experience severe maltreatment in their home and family, this is still their home, and they may like many aspects of it. The legal process holds the possibility of deepening the chasm created by the trauma and introducing more insecurity, instability, and uncertainty into their already troubled lives. Therefore, it is very important to introduce as many elements as possible that may provide a sense of security and certainty to your relationship with the child. – Idea for practice: Start each meeting with an explanation of the topics to be discussed. End each meeting by coordinating expectations regarding what comes next in your relationship, the date of the next meeting, what is expected to be discussed, and what you intend to do in the interim period as part of the legal representation.

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