Child Victims Bill of Rights

RCW 7.69A.030

1. To have all proceedings explained in language which can be easily understood by the child.

2. With respect to child victims of sex or violent crimes or child abuse, to have a crime victim advocate from a crime victim/witness program present at any prosecutorial or defense interviews with the victim. This subsection applies if practical and if the presence of the crime victim advocate does not cause any unnecessary delay in the investigation or prosecution of the case. The role of the crime victim advocate is to provide emotional support to the child victim and to promote the child’s feelings of security and safety.

3. To have, whenever practical, a secure waiting area provided for the child during court proceedings and to have a support person stay with the child.

4. To not have the name, address or photograph of the child victim or witness disclosed to any agency outside the criminal justice system without the permission of the child or the child’s guardian.

5. To allow an advocate to make recommendations to the prosecuting attorney about the child’s ability to cooperate with the prosecution and the potential effects of prosecution upon the child.

6. To allow an advocate to inform the court about the child’s ability to understand the nature of the proceedings.

7. To be provided information and referrals to agencies to assist the child and/or the child’s family in dealing with the emotional impact of the crime and the legal proceedings.

8. To allow an advocate to be present in court to provide emotional support to the child during testimony.

9. To inform the court as to the need to have other supportive persons present during the child’s testimony.

10. To allow law enforcement agencies to enlist the services of other professional personnel such as child protective services, victim advocates, or prosecutorial staff trained to interview child victims.

11. With respect to child victims of violent or sex crimes or child abuse, to receive either directly or through the child’s parent or guardian, if appropriate, at the time of reporting the crime to law enforcement officials, a written statement of the rights of child victims. The written statement shall include the name, address, and telephone number of a county or local crime/victim/witness program, if such a crime victim/witness program exists in the county.

Photo by Woodley Wonderworks, courtesy of Creative Commons.