CHILD-FRIENDLY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the individual elements of the mechanism for safeguarding children’s rights,
which, taken together and in combination, are designed to ensure child-friendly criminal proceedings. It has been
established that it is important to act in the best interests of the child. And this is not merely a matter of complying
with the requirements of current legislation, although this aspect is by no means insignificant, nor is the quality of
regulatory provisions. The author argues that the focus is, first and foremost, on creating a child-friendly
environment (both for the child in conflict with the law (suspect, accused) and for those in contact with them
(witnesses, victims)) in the sense of a properly equipped room in accordance with established requirements and
the coordinated work of a multidisciplinary team that provides the necessary psychological, medical and other
assistance as soon as required (even around the clock). It has been established that this also involves the
coordinated joint activity of such a team with the child’s legal representative and defence counsel during
investigative (criminal) proceedings involving the child and, more generally, during procedural actions. The aim
was to examine the three components of a comprehensive mechanism for the protection of children’s rights and to
develop recommendations for the legislator, the pre-trial investigation body and the prosecutor regarding the
provision of genuinely child-friendly criminal proceedings. To achieve this, a sample, the case study method, as
well as terminological, dialectical and logical methods were employed.
It has been established that a theoretical and legal framework such as the mechanism for protecting children’s
rights comprises several elements, three of which (legislation; the creation of a child-friendly environment and the
involvement of members of a multidisciplinary team, such as the ‘Barnahus’ model; and ensuring the presence and
active participation of parties to criminal proceedings, without whom such proceedings should not be conducted
in relation to children, and which make it child-friendly) have been formulated into the author’s recommendations,
which, together with the findings of fellow researchers and the shortcomings identified in judicial practice, should
form a proper foundation for further legislative steps and their implementation in the practical investigation of
criminal offences.
The findings of the study contribute to the advancement of academic theory and will also be of use to
practitioners conducting investigations involving children.

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