Haruv institute - Leading Principles in Trauma-Informed Child Representation

the child may interpret the term “concern” according to past experiences, which are often adverse. Accordingly, in order to establish trust with the child, it is necessary to explain to them what is unique about your role. – Idea for practice: “There are many people who care about you (parents, boarding school, and social worker). My job is to listen to you and hear what you think is best for you. I will also help you voice your opinion to other adults” (including the judge). • Transparency: It is important to have an open and sincere dialogue with the child. Ask them about what they would like to happen in the legal proceeding and what is important to them. Explain the legal process to the child in simple and direct language (do not use complex legal terms). It is very important that at any given moment, the child knows what has already happened, what is expected to happen in the next stages of the legal proceeding, and what you will do in the proceeding. Even when it is unpleasant, convey information to the child that may upset or anger them. Make sure to also inform the child about things that will happen against their will, present to them the available options and explain what you, as their representative, can do to promote these options. – Idea for practice: Ask the child to repeat what you talked about, to make sure they understood correctly. This way, you can ensure that the child does not nod without fully understanding the situation. • Modeling a positive relationship: Objectification is often a significant dimension of traumatic experiences. The child’s wishes, needs, and feelings are not seen, nor validated. This feeling of objectification may accompany the child for years into their adult life and may have serious consequences for their sense of self-worth and self-attributions. Studies show that any positive

9