This week, judges from across the country are participating in a specialized three-day Judicial Training on the Protection of Child Witnesses and Child Victims, organized with the support of UNICEF Bhutan. The training comes at a crucial time, responding to the increasing need for a trauma-informed, rights-based, and child-sensitive approach in cases involving children. It recognizes that when children come into contact with the justice system, whether as victims or witnesses, the experience can be intimidating, confusing, and even harmful if not handled with care.
Over the three days, judges are engaging in intensive sessions designed to deepen their understanding of national and international child protection standards. At the heart of the training are Bhutan’s key legal frameworks, including the Child Care and Protection Act 2011 (CCPA) and the Child Care and Protection Rules and Regulations 2015 (CCPRR). These are complemented by Bhutan’s international obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which places special emphasis on safeguarding the best interests of the child in all legal proceedings.
The program is highly interactive, incorporating case studies, real-life examples, and mock hearings to provide judges with practical tools they can apply in their courtrooms. Particular focus is placed on protective courtroom practices such as in-camera trials, the shielding of child witnesses, and strategies to minimize re-traumatization during questioning. These approaches are essential to ensure that the pursuit of justice does not come at the cost of a child’s emotional and psychological well-being.
Beyond the legal and procedural aspects, the training also highlights the psychosocial dimensions of judicial proceedings. Judges are learning about the potential impacts that court appearances and testimonies can have on children, and are being equipped with effective communication techniques that foster trust, reduce fear, and allow children to share their experiences in a safe environment. The sessions further emphasize the value of multi-agency collaboration, recognizing that courts, social services, law enforcement, and child protection organizations must work together to create a protective network around child victims and witnesses.
Ultimately, this training is not just about strengthening technical knowledge. It is about fostering a judiciary that upholds dignity, compassion, and child rights at every step of the legal process. By making courtrooms safer and more supportive, the training seeks to ensure that justice is not only delivered, but delivered in a way that supports healing, empowerment, and reintegration for children.
This effort is part of Bhutan’s broader vision to create a justice system that is accessible, responsive, and child-friendly, a system where the voices of children are heard, their rights are protected, and their well-being is always placed at the center of judicial proceedings.