Haruv institute - Leading Principles in Trauma-Informed Child Representation

– “I know you really want to stay with dad and to be at home and not in a boarding school. I understand that very well, but I think that at the moment the conditions at dad’s place are not good enough to look after you.” When talking to teenagers, you may add more “legal” arguments, such as referring to the chances of success in the legal proceeding, to the foundation of evidence that needs to be laid before the court, and the chances of appeal.

• Receiving feedback from the child: Receiving continuous feedback from the child throughout the entire proceeding is important for their ability to trust you and build a lasting and developing relationship, which in turn may lead to a

better legal representation. Receiving feedback from the child illustrates the reciprocity of the dialogue we want to have with the child throughout their legal representation. You give the child information and advice on the legal process, and in turn, they respond and share their fears, desires, hopes, and needs – and together, you formulate ways of coping. Consistent and transparent feedback gives the child a feeling of presence and support, of “being seen,” and this can help them build trust towards other adults and support systems. Additionally, children who understand the processes they are going through may become less anxious about their future and be more likely to cooperate with beneficial strategies. Feedback that explains the reasons for the decisions made and the next steps in the process helps children deal with their difficult reality. – Idea for practice: Try to emphasize the child’s part and the junctions in which their opinion was heard and taken into account, even if the result was not as they requested. For example, “After I explained to the court what you asked for, the judge decided to... The judge made this decision because they thought it would help you and your siblings the most. He said that...” / “You told me how important it is for you to

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