Haruv institute - Leading Principles in Trauma-Informed Child Representation

that children who have been harmed receive recognition of the unique needs of their trauma at all stages of the legal proceeding, including within the relationship between the child and the representing lawyer. This approach promotes the child’s well-being, strengthens their sense of self-efficacy, and allows them to participate meaningfully and effectively in the proceedings concerning their life. The leading principles include building trust with the child, maintaining transparency, and giving them the right to choose while protecting the specific child’s wishes and boundaries. In addition, emphasis is placed on the need to prepare the child for the legal proceeding, while presenting information in an accessible manner and supporting the child with sensitivity and attentiveness to their emotional responses and feelings of helplessness that may arise during their interaction with the legal and child protection systems. The principles and practical tools outlined in this document are relevant to lawyers representing children of any age , in any developmental state, and in any legal proceeding . Trauma-informed child representation also requires recognizing the emotional effects that the representatives themselves may experience, which is why the emotional and professional support of lawyers is important.

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