Courtroom Modifications Addressed for Child Victims
“We are thrilled at the support of this bill, which intervenes to lessen harm on children,” said Carrie Sanderson, director of the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM). “This is one example of the work we can do to protect South Dakota children through collaboration.”
Tifanie Petro, advisory board member for CPCM advocacy and prevention director for Children’s Home Society, began working on legislative language to create trauma-informed courtroom experiences for children as a part of the Child and Adult Advocacy Studies certificate, offered through the University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences in partnership with CPCM.
“I knew from my professional experience that there was an opportunity to create a courtroom experience that acknowledges the trauma children have faced,” said Petro. “My studies with the CAASt certificate provided the motivation to begin the legislative process.”
The bill was reworked following last year’s legislative session, with input from multi-disciplinary team members. CPCM Board Chair, Senator Tim Reed reintroduced the updated legislation this session, focused on courtroom modifications.
The legislation provides modifications for children testifying in court about child maltreatment. Modifications allowed include: address and question the child in an age-appropriate manner, to ensure the child is free of harassing tactics, to have a person who contributes to the well-being of the child in close proximity, provide sufficient breaks for comfort of child, have a therapeutic dog present, and appoint standby counsel for the defendant if the child will suffer emotional distress that could impair their ability to communicate if the defendant questions the child directly.
SB 70: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/24024
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT
The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM), www.sdcpcm.com, joins local, tribal, state and federal efforts in the fight against child sexual abuse and other forms of maltreatment in South Dakota. CPCM is designed to help South Dakotans know of, respond to and prevent child maltreatment, while supporting resilient families.
