Citation

Igelman RS, Ryan BE, Gilbert AM, Bashant JC, North K. Juv. Fam. Court J. 2008; 59(4): 35-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1755-6988.2008.00020.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper highlights the traumatic impact of child abuse and neglect upon children and adolescents who are commonly seen in court systems. In addition to describing prevalence rates of trauma exposure and psychological reactions among traumatized children, it addresses the need for judges and court personnel to work with children and families in a manner that is sensitive to their traumatic experiences and emphasizes the need for these children to receive the very best evidence-based care available in order to help them more effectively cope and recover from trauma exposure. Cultural issues and model adaptations are covered in relation to the use of evidence-based practices with children from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Specific recommendations are given to help judges and court personnel become better informed about the use of evidence-based practices for treating child trauma, enabling them to respond more sensitively and appropriately in these cases.