A new government-funded website designed to help prepare abused children to testify in court was launched by the province Thursday.
The Child Witness Court Preparation site is now available to children all over the world and provides an interactive and helpful way to assist them in preparing to face their abusers in court, according to a former social worker.
“We really wanted to be able to provide this service for free and to anyone who wants to use it, and I think we accomplished that with this website,” said Lynn Barry, founder of the Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse.
The website gives tips to children on how to stay calm while in the courtroom and also has a virtual tour of the courtroom.
“Testifying can be scary enough for adults, and it’s a lot more terrifying for children. The last thing we want to do is re-traumatize the children, so this way we help prepare them.”
