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AFTER COURT
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After
the testimony, be supportive. Tell your child he or she did a good job
and that you are proud. If you or the child are uncertain of the outcome
of the hearing or have questions, contact your local Victim-Witness
Assistance Program for more information. Even if the outcome is
not in your favor, tell the child that s/he took the proper action by
testifying and that you believe him or her. Most
children bounce back from their courtroom experiences with few negative
feelings and many stories to tell about what it was like to talk to the
judge. It is important to recognize that individual experiences vary,
however. As a parent/caregiver, you should recognize that your
child may have some stress-related worries or feelings of insecurity for
a few days after court. Sleep-related problems are not uncommon. If these problems persist or are severe, you may desire to
consider short-term or long-term counseling to help the child deal with
the trauma of victimization, as well as any persisting anxiety that may
have been caused by the judicial process. Your local
Victim-Witness Assistance Program can help you locate services in your
area. With loving families and the proper care and support, most
children are very resilient and quickly bounce back to their regular
selves.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
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