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At
the initial interview between the child and his/her
attorney, the attorney presents a Teddy Bear to
the child and lets the child know that the Bear
now belongs to the child. This act of giving "breaks
the ice" and helps the attorney establish rapport
with the child. The attorney is also able to use
the Teddy Bear as an object on which the child is
able to point out the places of alleged abuse rather
than use his/her own body. |
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While
the child awaits his or her hearing in the waiting
room or in Shelter Care, the child may keep the
Teddy Bear close to his/her side. Thus, the Bear
is an on-going reminder that an adult cares about
the child. |
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When
the child is escorted from Shelter Care to the Courtroom
for the arraignment and detention hearing, the Teddy
Bear is something to hold onto as a source of security.
The hearing is a mysterious experience for children
and seeing a parent for the first time in seventy-two
hours is a very emotional experience. The Teddy
Bear is an "emotional anchor" for the
child during this most difficult time. |
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After
the hearing, the child is usually allowed to have
a monitored visit with the parents. Again, the Teddy
Bear is a source of security as well as a "content
neutral" object about which to have a conversation. |
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After
the court hearing, the child may be taken to an
"out-of-home placement." Again, the Teddy
Bear is a source of emotional support and a reminder
that an adult, with obvious authority, has given
the child something of value. |
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The
Bench Officers use the Teddy Bears to help the children,
too. When testifying, the child may use a Teddy
Bear to show where the alleged abuse took place.
If the Court sees that a child is crying, during
any of the hearings, time is taken to make sure
that the child is comforted by his or her attorney
and the Court makes sure that the child has a Teddy
Bear. |
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The
focus of Comfort for Court Kids®, Inc. has been to
provide emotional support for the children while
they go through the court process; the act of giving
the children a brand new Teddy Bear sends a message
to the children that even though they have been
abused, they are worthwhile children and deserve
to receive an object that is brand new and that
is recognized as a universal symbol of love and
affection. |
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Money
for the Teddy Bears is donated by the Superior Court,
CiVIC Partnership, Bar Associations, foundations,
corporations, law offices, individual attorneys
and the public at large through fund raising activities
at the Children's Courthouse as well as in the community. |
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