Many of your readers have raised very important issues regarding the identification of a child witness by the police and the media. In this connection, I would like to quote from guidelines issued for all media professionals and court and law enforcement officers and another information leaflet issued to the public by King County Prosecuting Attorney, King County Courthouse, Seattle in the State of Washington in USA. This gives out in some detail what the law is and what the rights of a crime victim, a survivor of a crime victim or a witness to a crime are. It says: “ If you are a crime victim, a survivor of a crime victim, or a witness to a crime, the State of Washington provides that reasonable efforts be made to ensure you the child have certain rights. In addition to the rights that have been provided for all crime victims and witnesses, Washington law requires reasonable efforts be made to ensure the following rights for child victims and witnesses under the age of 18: Bill of Rights: 1) To be informed of the final outcome of the case 2) To be informed of changes in court dates for which you have been summoned 3) To receive protection from harm and threats of harm arising from your cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution 4) To receive witness fees to which you are entitled.

5) To have, whenever practical, a secure waiting area 6) To have any stolen or other personal property used as evidence returned to you as soon as possible after completion of the case 7) To have someone intervene with your employer if necessary when you are required to be in court 8) To have access to immediate medical assistance without unnecessary delay. 9) To be allowed reasonable leave from employment to take care of legal issues, receive medical treatment or obtain other necessary services 10) To be present in court during trial if you are a victim or survivor of a victim, after your testimony has been given and no further testimony is required 11) To be informed of the date, time and location of the trial and, if requested, of the sentencing hearing in crime cases if you are the victim or survivor of the victim 12) To present a statement in person or in writing at the sentencing hearing in crime cases if you are the victim or survivor of the victim 13) To submit a victim impact statement to the court 14) To have restitution ordered by the court, unless the court finds this inappropriate, in criminal cases if you are the victim or survivor of a victim.

Child Victims' Bill of Rights: In addition to the rights that have been provided for all crime victims and witnesses, Washington law requires reasonable efforts be made to ensure the following rights for child victims and witnesses under the age of eighteen: 15) To have all proceedings explained in the child’s own language and in a language which can be easily understood by the child 16) To have, whenever practical, a secure waiting area provided for the child during court proceedings, and to have a support person stay with the child 17) To not have the name, address or photograph of the child victim or witness disclosed to any agency outside the criminal justice system without the permission of the child's parent or guardian 18) To have an advocate make recommendations to the prosecuting attorney about the child's ability to cooperate with the prosecution and the potential effects of prosecution upon the child 19) To allow an advocate to inform the court about the child's ability to understand the nature of the proceedings 20) To be provided information and referrals to agencies to assist the child and-or the child's family in dealing with the emotional impact of the crime and the legal proceedings

21) To have an advocate be present in court to provide emotional support to the child during testimony 22) To inform the court as to the need to have other supportive persons present during the child's testimony 23) To allow law enforcement agencies to enlist the services of other professional personnel such as child protective services, victim advocates, or prosecutorial staff trained to interview child victims. The King County Prosecutor's Office Victim Assistance Unit automatically notifies victims and survivors of victims when felony charges are filed and of trial and sentencing dates. A 1989 constitutional amendment provides for notification of other court proceedings upon request of the victim.