Discussion
Experts explored the topic 'System for Specializing Lawyers in Child-Related Cases
Ms. Julia Schacherbauer, a juvenile prosecutor from the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Passau, Germany, participated in the event as a guest speaker. She shared her knowledge and experience. She works on cases involving juvenile crime, violations related to residence and asylum law, domestic and intimate partner violence, stalking, and offenses under laws on protection against violence.
During the meeting, Ms. Schaherbauer provided a detailed overview of the roles of courts, prosecutors, and police in implementing international standards for the protection of children and victims within the framework of national criminal law. She also emphasized the importance of the principle of prioritizing the rights, protection, and best interests of the child, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
She also presented advanced child-friendly interviewing methodologies, noting that taking into account a child’s age, developmental characteristics, and protection needs in criminal and civil proceedings is essential for obtaining accurate and reliable testimony without causing secondary psychological harm.