IN THE NEWS
Child abuse, later PTSD show distinctive genetic signature
An international team of researchers has determined that child abuse leaves a distinct change in biological pathways.
Read Article >>Shamed into silence
Reliable national figures are not available, but in Vermont's Bennington County for example, the proportion of disabled child sex abuse cases to other child sex abuse cases has risen from…
Read Article >>Sex-offender registries: Should kids be listed?
Government authorities should end the practice of placing juveniles' names on publicly accessible sex-offender registries, Human Rights Watch says in a report warning of lasting and unwarranted harm to some…
Read Article >>US: Shhh, The Kids Can Hear You Arguing (Even When They're Asleep)
"What we see for the infants in higher conflict homes is that they are showing greater reactivity to the very angry tone of voice," Graham says, "and that reactivity is…
Read Article >>RESOURCE GUIDE
Child-Friendly Courtrooms Resource Guide and Benchcard
The Children’s Justice Act was proud to partner with CACTX and the Court Improvement Program on an exciting new education tool: "Child-Friendly Courtrooms: Items for Judicial Consideration". It is our hope that, in cases involving child witnesses, all parties may find this guide helpful, particularly as it aims to reduce the trauma to children as they make their way through our criminal and civil justice systems.
This project was featured in the most recent edition of In Chambers, the quarterly newsletter of the Texas Center for the Judiciary.
CJA Three-Year Assessment
Every three years, the CJA Task Force must undertake a comprehensive review and evaluation of how the State responds to child maltreatment and make training and policy recommendations for improvements in child protection systems. The Task Force has completed its current assessment and identified several priorities to direct the use of CJA funding in the coming years. A copy of the report is located at this link: CJA Assessment Report.
See also: Three-Year Assessment Presentation
UPCOMING EVENTS
Crimes Against Children Conference
A nationally and internationally-recognized conference for professionals from the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, children’s advocacy, therapy, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime.
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