Children as Witnesses in Court Proceedings

When children are confronted with the judicial system, they are particularly vulnerable to stressful and complex situations. Complying with international standards promoting child-friendly justice is crucial for preventing negative impacts on their development. The Slovenian legal system has implemented several measures to safeguard the rights and well-being of child victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings, such as excluding minors from direct confrontation with the accused, utilising videoconferencing for testimony, and establishing child-friendly spaces. The model of "Barnahus" or "Children’s House" has been adopted as well, emphasising a multidisciplinary approach to addressing child victims of sexual abuse and other crimes. The Supreme Court has actively pursued child-friendly justice, producing informative booklets to guide child witnesses through legal processes. These and other initiatives underscore Slovenia's commitment to balancing the rights of the accused with the protection and support of child victims in the criminal justice system while leaving room for further development.