Introduction to the Unique Legal and Ethical Challenges When Counseling Children and Adolescents

Effective communication among the members of the multidisciplinary team is an absolute necessity to ensure the investigation and prosecution process runs smoothly. At times, investigating alleged crimes committed against children can be complex, emotional, and overwhelming. This chapter breaks down the anatomy of working such investigations. The alleged crime may involve neglect, physical or sexual allegations, or combinations of same. The chapter describes the typical process and associated expectations present in a thorough, professional, and legal/ethical investigation. Most law enforcement agencies throughout the United States have established relationships with child advocacy centers. These relationships enable the formation of the multidisciplinary team, which includes law enforcement, prosecutors, Child Protective Services (CPS), forensic interview specialists, forensic medical staff and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), counselors, and victim's assistance workers. In working with children who have made an outcry of abuse, the counselor serves the roles of a healer, support system, confidant, educator, and advocate.