(2)In all dealings with children, the Children's Court shall follow the following guidelines:-(a)Child victims/witnesses are informed of their role in regard to court proceedings;(b)Their views are allowed to be heard and respected;(c)Inconvenience to them is minimized and their privacy is respected;(d)Delays in the proceedings are reduced;(e)Aggressive questioning or cross examination of child victims is avoided and the same, if necessary, is done through the judge;(f)Provisions are made for trials in camera;(g)The identity of the child victim is protected;(h)Child victims are prepared for the judicial process and prosecution of alleged abusers is not rushed if a child is not ready to go to court;(i)The investigator ascertains the need for medical examination of the child victim and when examination is undertaken, ensures that multiple re-examination is avoided;(j)The medical examination should be conducted in the presence of the parent/guardian and social worker/counsel or as far as possible;(k)Child's [testimony or statement] [Substituted by Goa Children's (Amendment) Act, 2005 [Act No. 20 of 2005].] should be recorded in the presence of a social worker/counsellor as early as possible after the abusive incident with other witnesses at hand;(l)Adequate translation/interpretations and translators/interpreters who are sensitive to the children's needs should be provided wherever needed.(m)In case of a mentally challenged child, the competent service provider should depose on behalf of the child;(n)The special needs of the child victims/witnesses should be catered for. These should include the following:-(i)Enable children to familiarise themselves with the court surroundings;(ii)Inform children of the different roles of the key persons at court, such as the judge, the defence lawyer and the prosecutor;(iii)Inform the court of the special needs of children in general and of individual children in specific cases;(iv)Help children to be comfortable in the proceedings;(v)Encourage questionings to be short and clear so as not confuse child witnesses;(vi)Permit children below eight years of age to respond to leading questions facilitated by a social worker.
