What is the best way to work with the legal system?

The legal system has the responsibility to protect children by holding offenders accountable for their actions. The legal system is able to do a better job when they have as many facts as possible and when people cooperate. Here are some basic tips when working with the legal system:

 

• Refrain from talking about the abuse and the investigation in front of your child.

 

• Remain calm and strong for your Don’t question your child about the abuse, don’t tell your child what to say, and don’t correct the child when he or she talks about the abuse. It is extremely important that your child uses his or her own words when he or she is ready to talk about the abuse.

 

• When professionals ask you questions, be as factual as possible. Never guess if you don’t know the answer to a It is better to say you don’t know, than to guess. Try to keep your opinions out of your statements.

 

• Never lie, even if the truth may not make you or others look good. In the long run, you will be much better

 

• Remain supportive, protective and affectionate towards your It is possible that the alleged offender may be a significant person in your life and it may be a struggle to balance your feelings with your responsibility to your child. Remember, your child needs you to be there for him or her to make healthy, protective decisions for him or her.

 

• When people are asking personal questions without explaining why they are asking the questions, it’s easy to feel as if they are prying into your personal life rather than helping you. The professionals who ask the questions are required to obtain specific information. It is important to the investigation as well as your child’s welfare that the professionals involved get the answers to their questions. Cases where individuals are cooperative and forthcoming with information tend to be resolved faster. This allows you and your child to return to a more normal life.

 

• Try not to jump to It’s easy to believe that because someone doesn’t show any sign of emotion that they don’t care about what’s going on around them. In fact, these professionals do care! The professionals involved are avoiding becoming emotionally involved in the situation so they can remain objective and make sound, rational decisions.

 

• Get your questions This is a very difficult, chaotic time and many different things will be happening at the same time. You will receive lots of information from many different people. It’s easy to get overwhelmed! Never be embarrassed or ashamed to ask someone to slow down or to repeat things. If you have a question, ask it. Keep this booklet or a notebook with you at all times so you can write the important information down that the professionals give you and keep track of the questions that you want to ask when you think of them. If you ask someone a question and they don’t know the answer, ask them who does know the answer so you can get your question answered.