BAHRAIN has taken a major step forward in child protection by announcing new guidelines for recording testimonies from young sexual assault victims.
The country is the first in the region to implement the landmark procedure which will protect the dignity of victims by avoiding repeated questioning that adds to their suffering.
The ‘Hearing Child’s Statement Just Once in Crimes of Sexual Assault’, initiated by the Public Prosecution, will be implemented by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry in co-ordination with the ministries of Health, Education, Interior and Social Development while tackling abuse cases against children.
Attorney General Dr Ali Al Buainain attended the launch ceremony yesterday along with British Ambassador Alastair Long and other senior government officials.
Addressing the event, Dr Al Buainain termed the guidelines as a ‘significant advancement’ and stressed its positive impact on children’s mental health.
“This step will unify criminal procedures in sexual assault cases in accordance with legal and social standards, considering the rights of children,” he said, adding that the guidelines aim to protect and preserve children’s dignity and integrity.
The British Ambassador, in his speech, stressed the importance of the project in safeguarding children, praising the vision of the Attorney General over the past years and the efforts of the Public Prosecution in this field. He also commended the co-operation between the Public Prosecution and the British Embassy, which contributed to transferring the UK’s experience to Bahrain in this field.
Designed to be in line with international human rights and United Nations standards, the new mechanisms have been based on the 2021 Law of Restorative Justice and Protection from Mistreatment.
The guidelines divide the process into four phases that begin with reporting the crime and end with a criminal trial.
Victims up to 18 years of age, along with children at risk of assault up to 15, will be included.
As per the new rules, reports received by police, the Child Protection Centre, hospitals and schools will be immediately referred to the Public Prosecution after taking statements of an adult and not questioning the young victim.
Within a maximum of 12 hours after receiving the report, the Public Prosecution will hold a meeting with concerned public bodies to determine the questions to be asked to the child victim, and the steps to be taken during inquiry.
Children will be providing a statement only once in a special investigation room, in the presence of a social worker, with the session recorded in case the testimony needs to be heard in court.
After the interview, a report will be prepared which can be accessed by concerned parties.
If the case goes to trial and additional statements are required by judges, the child victim will provide a testimony via video conference in a specially-prepared room in the Public Prosecution ‘with care taken to conceal their identity’.
The Public Prosecution has already completed training programmes on the child questioning mechanism for 869 beneficiaries from a number of concerned authorities, such as the ministries of Interior, Education, Health and the Child Protection Centre.
The ‘groundbreaking piece of legislation’ has also been designed with the age-related circumstances of victims in mind.
Meanwhile, the 2021 Restorative Justice Law is considered a comprehensive legislation when it comes to addressing children involved in crime, whether they be victims or suspects. It also sets standards on guidance, rehabilitation and re-integration of the children, along with oversight to safeguard the young people’s human rights.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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