Sacrificing the Child to Convict the Defendant: Secondary Traumatization of Child Witnesses by Prosecutors, Their Inherent Conflict of Interest, and the Need for Child Witness Counsel

Authors

Tanya Asim Cooper

Abstract

The article argues that the criminal justice system often fails to protect child witnesses, causing them further trauma and harm. It contends that current legal protections, such as accommodations for testimony, are insufficiently enforced and that child witnesses need independent legal representation to safeguard their interests. The author advocates for systemic reforms to prioritize the well-being of child witnesses and ensure their voices are heard in court without compromising their mental health.

Disciplines

Evidence | Law | Legal History

Recommended Citation

Tanya A. Cooper, Sacrificing the Child to Convict the Defendant: Secondary Traumatization of Child Witnesses by Prosecutors, Their Inherent Conflict of Interest, and the Need for Child Witness Counsel, 9 Cardozo Pub. L. Pol’y & Ethics J. 239 (2011).
Available at: https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cplpej/vol9/iss2/2