Child Witnesses in the Criminal Courts (SLI 2021)

Panel discussion about the how child witnesses are supported throughout a criminal case, from the early stages of the police investigation through to court preparation, testimony in the courtroom and at sentencing hearings.
Speakers: Child Advocate Worker from BOOST - CYAC (Child and Youth Advocacy Centre), Crown and Defence Counsel, and Toronto Police Officer - CYAC.
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OJEN offers special thanks to the Law Foundation of Ontario, whose funding made this webinar series and so many other crucial projects possible.
00:00 Webinar start
1:02 Land acknowledgement
2:10 Introducing the panelists
4:06 Child witnesses in the criminal court - introduction
8:16 What is a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC)?
10:45 The role of investigative police officers with child witnesses - introduction
11:26 Toronto CYAC investigative mandate
13:37 How do things get to court?
17:10 Police-child interviews
20:03 Victim/witness role with child witness
21:52 Crown attorney’s role with child witness
27:20 Defence attorney’s role with child witness
35:52 Testifying in a courtroom
36:54 The use of CCTV
39:09 Testifying in court
41:25 Testimonial aids
43:50 Role of child witness advocate
45:20 Use of accredited facility dogs
50:34 Conclusion, Q&A