Online Training For The Community Professional

The Court Preparation and Accompaniment Facilitator Training Program is a 10-module course that equips professionals to support child witnesses with empathy, structure, and legal understanding. It covers trauma-informed care, court procedures, child development, caregiver involvement, mock court practice, and program accountability. The course offers a practical, child-centered approach to reduce trauma and build confidence in young witnesses throughout the justice process.

MODULE 1

Foundations of Court Accompaniment

Gain essential skills to support child witnesses with empathy, professionalism, and cultural awareness.

  • Chapter 1: Emotional Safety & Self-Care

    Learn how to manage emotional stress and build resilience while supporting others.

  • Chapter 2: Professional Boundaries

    Establish clear, ethical boundaries to protect both yourself and the child witness.

  • Chapter 3: History of Child Witness Support

    Understand how child witness protections have developed to reduce trauma in the justice system.

  • Chapter 4: Court Prep Outcomes

    Discover how structured preparation helps children feel confident and deliver effective testimony.

  • Chapter 5: Trauma-Informed Approach

    Apply trauma-sensitive practices to support emotional safety and reduce distress in child witnesses.

  • Chapter 6: Diversity in Justice

    Promote inclusive, culturally aware support that respects the backgrounds of all children and families.

MODULE 2

Understanding Child Abuse

Develop a foundational understanding of child abuse, its impact on victims, and the appropriate response protocols in a court accompaniment setting.

  • Chapter 1: Introduction to Child Abuse and Its Impact

    Understand the broad definitions and societal impact of child abuse and why this knowledge is vital for court support work.

  • Chapter 2: Types of Child Abuse and Definitions

    Learn the five main categories of child abuse, including how to identify and differentiate them in real-world contexts.

  • Chapter 3: Understanding Victimization

    Recognize how different forms of abuse often overlap, and the unique challenges in cases of sexual abuse.

  • Chapter 4: Supporting Disclosures of Abuse

    Know how to respond appropriately to a child’s disclosure without contaminating evidence or overstepping professional roles.

  • Chapter 5: Child Forensic Interviews

    Gain insight into the purpose and complexity of forensic interviews and why only trained professionals conduct them.

  • Chapter 6: Understanding Retractions of Disclosure

    Explore why children sometimes retract disclosures and how support systems can help maintain their confidence and participation.

MODULE 3

Supporting Child Witnesses

Learn how to effectively support child witnesses by understanding their cognitive, emotional, and communication needs throughout the court process.

  • Chapter 1: Developmental Challenges in Testifying

    Recognize how age and emotional development impact a child’s ability to testify confidently in court.

  • Chapter 2: The Courtroom

    Understand how courtroom formality can intimidate children and how to prepare them for what to expect.

  • Chapter 3: Cognitive Abilities and Memory in Testimony

    Learn how children recall events through episodic and script memory, and how this affects their testimony.

  • Chapter 4: Age, Suggestibility, and Testimonial Competence

    Explore how age and suggestibility influence credibility, and why open-ended questions are essential.

  • Chapter 5: Children and Abstract Concepts

    Understand why abstract ideas like time, size, and frequency can be difficult for children to explain in testimony.

  • Chapter 6: Communication with Children

    Identify how language development affects comprehension and how question phrasing influences responses.

MODULE 4

Understanding Trauma and Supporting Resilience

Explore the impact of childhood trauma and learn how to recognize, respond to, and support resilience in child witnesses.

  • Chapter 1: Adverse Events in Childhood

    Learn how early childhood adversity, as identified in the ACEs study, can affect long-term health and development.

  • Chapter 2: The 3 E’s of Trauma: Events, Experiences, Effects

    Understand the key elements that define trauma and the role of toxic stress in shaping a child’s response.

  • Chapter 3: Impairments Resulting from Trauma

    Identify the seven domains of trauma-related impairment and their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral impacts.

  • Chapter 4: Responses to Trauma

    Recognize trauma responses such as fight, flight, or freeze, and learn how to support children within their “window of tolerance.”

MODULE 5

Court Procedures and Accommodations

Gain an understanding of how the Canadian criminal justice system operates and how to support child witnesses throughout each phase of court proceedings.

  • Chapter 1: Understanding Criminal, Civil, and Family Court

    Learn the differences between court types, including burden of proof, procedures, and key courtroom roles.

  • Chapter 2: Criminal Code Offenses and Procedural Decisions

    Understand offense classifications (summary, indictable, hybrid) and how procedural decisions impact children.

  • Chapter 3: The Hierarchy of Canadian Courts

    Explore Canada’s court structure and how cases move from lower courts to the Supreme Court.

  • Chapter 4: Court Administrative Process

    Follow the step-by-step process of a criminal case and understand key terms like adjournments and Gladue Reports.

  • Chapter 5: Court Procedures and Accommodations

    Learn courtroom procedures and review accommodations available to reduce stress for child witnesses.

  • Chapter 6: Sentencing Options and the Role of VIS

    Examine Canada’s sentencing options and the importance of victim impact statements in the justice process.

MODULE 6

Enhancing Court Preparation and Accompaniment

Build professional resilience, strengthen support strategies, and ensure the integrity of services while working closely with child witnesses and their families.

  • Chapter 1: Self-Care for Facilitators

    Learn how to prevent burnout by recognizing compassion fatigue and practicing vicarious resilience.

  • Chapter 2: Identifying and Managing Personal Triggers

    Increase self-awareness and manage emotional responses that may affect client interactions.

  • Chapter 3: The ABCs of Self-Care

    Create a balanced, actionable self-care plan focused on awareness, balance, and connection.

  • Chapter 4: Effective Court Preparation Approaches

    Deliver timely, child-centered support tailored to the emotional needs of youth and their families.

  • Chapter 5: The Supportive Relationship in Court Preparation

    Use reflective listening and presence to build trust and emotional safety with clients.

  • Chapter 6: Court Preparation Formats

    Choose the right format—individual, group, online, or blended—based on child needs and context.

  • Chapter 7: Cautions for Facilitators

    Maintain professionalism and objectivity while upholding the credibility and integrity of court prep programs.

MODULE 7

Child Witness Court Preparation Program Curriculum

Explore the full curriculum for delivering effective, child-friendly court preparation, from addressing fears to mock court practice and courtroom tours.

  • Chapter 1: Introduction to Child Witness Court Preparation

    Understand the purpose and evolving nature of child witness court preparation programs.

  • Chapter 2: Planning and Delivering Child Sessions

    Learn to deliver sessions that cover key preparation areas like fear reduction, roles, rules, and practice.

  • Chapter 3: Addressing Fears and Teaching Relaxation

    Identify common fears and teach calming strategies to help children feel more in control.

  • Chapter 4: Describing Court Roles

    Teach courtroom roles through child-friendly language and play-based activities.

  • Chapter 5: Explaining Court Rules and Process

    Use interactive tools to explain court procedures and address children’s misconceptions.

  • Chapter 6: Helping Children Prepare for Testifying in Court

    Guide children through open-ended questioning and memory strategies to build confidence.

  • Chapter 7: Understanding Cross Examination & Young Witnesses

    Prepare children for the pressure of cross-examination using structured mock practice.

  • Chapter 8: Mock Court

    Facilitate realistic, child-safe mock court sessions to build familiarity and reduce anxiety.

  • Chapter 9: Courtroom Tour

    Provide in-person or virtual court tours to help demystify the environment where testimony will occur.

  • Chapter 10: Optimizing Online Curriculum Delivery

    Keep children engaged in virtual court prep sessions using movement breaks and interactive tools.

MODULE 8

Supporting Parents and Caregivers

Equip caregivers with the tools and understanding they need to support child witnesses before, during, and after court proceedings.

  • Chapter 1: Why Involve Parents and Caregivers?

    Learn how caregiver support positively impacts a child’s court experience and how to address cultural or language barriers.

  • Chapter 2: Core Concepts for Parent and Caregiver Sessions

    Share essential guidance and preparation steps with families to help them support their child effectively throughout the court process.

  • Chapter 3: The Victim Impact Statement

    Explain the purpose and timing of a Victim Impact Statement and how caregivers can support or contribute meaningfully to its preparation.

MODULE 9

Court Accompaniment in Practice

Learn how to provide structured, professional, and empathetic support to children and families before, during, and after court proceedings.

  • Chapter 1: Court Accompaniment Overview

    Understand the purpose of court accompaniment and how it differs from informal support.

  • Chapter 2: The Advocate Role

    Learn the key responsibilities and expectations of a court accompaniment advocate.

  • Chapter 3: Essential Qualities of an Effective Advocate

    Develop core traits such as empathy, patience, and emotional awareness to better support others.

  • Chapter 4: Supporting Children and Families in Court Contexts

    Recognize emotional reactions and apply strategies to remain neutral and compassionate in challenging moments.

  • Chapter 5: Considerations for Advocates

    Understand why Crown Prosecutors recommend neutral support and how to navigate sensitive support dynamics.

  • Chapter 6: The Support Person

    Learn best practices for courtroom conduct, especially while a child is testifying.

  • Chapter 7: Day of Trial

    Prepare for the practical duties of trial day while maintaining boundaries and offering resource referrals post-trial.

MODULE 10

Accountability in Court Preparation Programs

Understand the importance of documenting, evaluating, and continuously improving court preparation services to ensure quality, transparency, and lasting impact.

  • Chapter 1: Understanding Accountability in Court Preparation Programs Define accountability and explore how it reflects commitment to children, families, and justice stakeholders.

  • Chapter 2: The Importance of Documentation

    Learn how proper documentation supports legal, ethical, and programmatic accountability.

  • Chapter 3: Why Program Evaluation Matters

    Use evaluation to assess impact, guide improvements, and ensure goals are being met.

  • Chapter 4: The Role of Pre- and Post-Surveys in Measuring Success

    Apply surveys to track participant learning and engagement, adjusting tools to suit different age groups.

  • Chapter 5: Using Likert Scales for Assessment

    Leverage Likert scales to gather measurable feedback while minimizing bias in results.

  • Chapter 6: Using Technology for Improved Accountability

    Enhance data collection and program efficiency through digital tools and real-time analytics.

  • Chapter 7: Addressing Challenges in Program Delivery

    Recognize common barriers and expand program reach through adaptability and community partnerships.

    Chapter 8: The Future of Court Preparation Programs
    → Embrace innovation, legal collaboration, and capacity-building to evolve and strengthen services.

  • Chapter 8: The Future of Court Preparation Programs

    Embrace innovation, legal collaboration, and capacity-building to evolve and strengthen services.