Minors who are victims of sexual offenses must cope not only with the effects of the abuse itself, but also with the challenges involved in participating in the criminal justice process. This process may be lengthy and complex and requires particular attention to their needs and rights. To help them exercise their rights and cope with the process, in 2017, eligibility for independent legal representation was established for minors who were victims of serious sexual offenses, through “A Lawyer of My Own”, a program provided by the Legal Aid Administration at the Ministry of Justice.
Against this background, the Ministry of Justice commissioned the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute to conduct a study examining the experiences of young adults who were victims of serious sexual offenses as minors, and of parents of minors who were victims, with the criminal justice process and the legal representation provided. The study aimed to deepen understanding of minors’ needs and identify best practices for legal representation and support, in order to inform the continued development of legal aid and better adapt it to their needs.
The study was conducted in two complementary stages, and its findings are presented in two publications. The first is an international literature review addressing the criminal justice experiences of minor victims of sexual offenses and best practices for conducting trauma-informed research with victims and their parents. The review provided the theoretical and methodological foundation for the study. The second publication presents the findings of a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with young adults who were victims as minors and with parents of victimized minors. It describes their experiences of the criminal justice process and legal representation and proposes directions for action to improve the response provided to minors and their families.
Citing suggestion (APA)
Toporek Barr, O., & Sorek, Y. (2026). Between participation and justice: best practices for trauma-informed research and the experiences of child victims of sexual offenses in the criminal justice process. An international literature review. RR-070-26. Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute
Toporek Barr, O., & Sorek, Y. (2026). “A lawyer of my own” program: Criminal proceedings and legal representation from the perspectives of young adults who experienced sexual offenses as minors and parents of minor victims – An evaluation study. RR-103-26. Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute.