When Children Speak: How Child Development and Trauma Shape the Disclosure Process

When a child discloses abuse and states "I don't remember" what comes to mind? In this presentation, you will learn about the stages of disclosure and how child development and trauma experiences impact the process. In many cases, the brain is part of the barrier. It is important to understand the role of trauma on the brain and how to engage a child in a way that reduces the blocks to their disclosure. Attendees will also gain perspective on what children are capable of disclosing based on their age and development, which allows us to fill in the gaps for jurors who often do not have extensive knowledge of child development and the disclosure process.